JOHN KUCZYNSKI 3-0 LIONEL SAMS
(3-0, 3-0, 3-0)
AMERICAN number one John Kuczynski produced a clinical display to dump number 16 seed Lionel Sams out of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.
Kuczynski failed to drop a single leg on his debut at the Circus Tavern to set up a second round contest with Dutchman Jan van der Rassel.
The American announced his intentions by opening the game with a maximum 180, and he took the first set before Sams had time to settle.
His quick-fire style continued in the second set, winning three straight legs in 15, 14 and 15 darts and including a 116 finish.
And the wasted no time in wrapping up the whitewash in the third set to move into the last 32.
"I didn't play great but I hit my doubles when I had to and it was enough," said Kuczynski, whose odds for the tournament have been slashed from 500/1 to 80/1.
"I've been practising with [fellow American qualifier] Ray Carver but was worried coming into the game because I haven't played too well for the last couple of days.
"But the 180 to start settled me down and I grew in confidence and this is magnificent for me."
Kuczynski is one of three American qualifiers for the event, along with Carver and Darin Young, and he admitted that their participation is positive for darts in the United States.
"A lot of the other players have more experience in this event, but I plan to be around for a long time," he said.
"We're good players and we'll become more solid the more we play over here. The better player you play against, the better you become."
Match Stats
|
Lionel Sams |
0-3 |
John Kuczynski |
|
7 |
100+ |
11 |
|
6 |
140+ |
6 |
|
1 |
180 |
2 |
|
24.16 |
Ave1 |
27.33 |
|
72.47 |
Ave3 |
81.98 |