GARY WELDING 4-2 JOHN KUCZYNSKI
(1-3, 3-2, 0-3, 3-1, 3-1, 3-0)
GARY WELDING'S dream debut at the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship continued as he became the first player to move into the quarter-finals, with a 4-2 win over American John Kuczynski.
The qualifier from St Helens, making his first appearance at the Circus Tavern this year, knocked out world number one Colin Lloyd in the first round and ended Erwin Extercatte's hopes on Boxing Day.
He ended the American Dream in Purfleet by coming from 3-1 down to knock out Kuczynski on the same day that his compatriot Ray Carver was also eliminated.
Despite losing the opening leg, Kuczynski took the first set and led in the second before Welding managed to find his range on the doubles.
The 42-year-old levelled matters at 1-1 but was again wayward in the third as the American number one edged back in front.
Welding then won six legs from the next eight to move 3-2 up and put himself within touching distance of the last eight.
He then made Kuczynski pay for his own missed doubles in the sixth set, taking three straight legs to book his quarter-final place.
"It's a dream," said Welding. "I struggled a bit at times and I know I've got my 'A Game' in me somewhere.
"Eric Bristow said that sometimes you have to 'win ugly', but I'm in the quarter-finals now and confident of going even further."
Kuczynski admitted: "I missed too many doubles but I'll be back.
"I came here expecting to win it and I'm confident about my future."
Match Stats
|
Gary Welding |
4-2 |
John Kuczynski |
|
32 |
100+ |
30 |
|
10 |
140+ |
8 |
|
3 |
180 |
5 |
|
27.77 |
Ave1 |
28.03 |
|
83.30 |
Ave3 |
84.08 |