Peter Wright dumped out of World Darts Championship by Jamie Lewis
Thursday 28 December 2017 10:23, UK
Jamie Lewis produced the performance of a lifetime to knock out second seed Peter Wright 4-1 at the World Darts Championship on Wednesday.
Wright had been a doubt for the tournament having lost two stone and been admitted to hospital with gallstones but his opponent was in inspired form, averaging 107.27, landing 13 maximums and converting three 100+ finishes to prevail in style.
Lewis' victory sets up a third-round tie against James Richardson in a wide-open quarter of the draw that has also lost Adrian Lewis, Kim Huybrechts and Simon Whitlock and Wright is in no doubt about his opponent's capabilities.
"I'm looking forward to, in five years' time when I'm retired with my feet up, sitting on my sofa watching the top five in the world which should be Jamie Lewis, Keegan Brown, Dimitri [van den Bergh], Josh Payne and Michael Smith.
"Those guys will be top five, top 10 in the world and I'm going to be a very happy to watch and have had to play against these guys.
"I was rusty but I still enjoyed the game and I wish him all the luck."
'Snakebite' had won a tight opening set and drew first blood in set two, before Lewis registered three successive 12-darters to level the tie with brilliant 125, 81 and 123 finishes - the latter two coming on the bullseye.
The Welshman then averaged 120 in a remarkable third set which he clinched in a decider, before taking out a nerveless 121 checkout on the bull to establish a 3-1 cushion, with Wright poised on double eight to level.
Lewis had the advantage of throw in the fifth set but Wright fired in an 11-darter to break in the third leg, only to spurn four set darts moments later, as Lewis held his nerve to take out 66 and clinch victory inside 15 darts.
The 2018 World Championship from Alexandra Palace continues with a bumper double session on Thursday with coverage getting underway from 12.30pm and 7pm. Phil 'The Power' Taylor is in action.
Live World Darts Championship
Live World Darts Championship
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