Hawaii 501 also hails Daryl Gurney's stunning display in Belfast on another magical night of darts
Friday 30 March 2018 00:37, UK
Wayne Mardle says Mensur Suljovic is not in an ideal situation heading into Judgement Night at the Echo Arena in Liverpool next Thursday.
Suljovic or Wright, the 2017 runner-up, will follow Welshman Gerwyn Price out of the competition early following thr latest round of fixtures in Belfast.
The Austrian is in the thick of the elimination battle after he was edged out 7-5 by play-off chasing Gary Anderson, while world No 2 Wright came from 6-3 down to claim a draw with Simon Whitlock.
Wright now sits one point ahead of Suljovic after surviving a missed match dart to claim a key point.
Snakebite will take on Daryl Gurney, while Suljovic faces a daunting task against world No 1 and defending champion Michael van Gerwen.
Mensur Suljovic knows he needs something from his match against Michael van Gerwen - not an ideal situation to be in.
"It's Judgement Night next week and it matters," Mardle told Sky Sports. "We know Gerwyn Price has been eliminated but Mensur Suljovic knows he needs something from his match against Michael van Gerwen - not an ideal situation to be in."
Mardle was also impressed with Gurney, who ensured survival in with a 7-5 homecoming win over Rob Cross.
Derry's Gurney was making his first big-stage appearance in Northern Ireland as he stepped out at The SSE Arena, and produced a gutsy performance to end any threat of elimination from the event.
"Daryl Gurney has got broad shoulders and he needed them tonight because he had all the pressure of these guys [home support] on them," said Mardle. "He held up to Rob Cross so well. He was two-nil down and chasing, chasing, but that 119 finish was nearly as good as Peter Wright's 120; it changed the course of the game.
"Daryl Gurney has got this game, we know he can score along with the best of them and tonight he proved it."
The 2018 Premier League heads to the Echo Arena in Liverpool for Judgement Night next Thursday, with coverage underway from 7pm on Sky Sports Action & Sky Sports Mix, which you can find on channel 287, and is free for all Sky customers. Six weeks of tungsten action will then continue through to the season's conclusion with the Play-Offs on May 17 at The O2 in London.
Keep up to date with the latest darts news, previews, reports, reaction and expert analysis. Get all the latest at www.skysports.com/darts and join in the conversation @SkySportsDarts- don't forget to use #LoveTheDarts
