Final day of action in Germany takes place on Wednesday with a place at the Grand Slam of Darts on offer for whoever tops the five-day Order of Merit
Wednesday 16 September 2020 07:40, UK
Gerwyn Price denied Devon Petersen a maiden PDC ranking title, coming from three legs down to take the honours on Day Four at the Autumn Series.
The Iceman produced a nerveless late surge to pip Petersen at the post, the South African had produced a brilliant display to average more than 100 on his way to a 7-4 lead in his quest for a first ever PDC title.
But standing within one leg of the £10,000 winner's cheque and a breakthrough on the PDC stage, Petersen faltered for the first time on a day that had also seen him beat Michael van Gerwen 6-0. He missed four match darts across the 13th and 14th legs and Price was quick to pounce.
The Welshman showed the ruthless class that has made him one of the best players in the world and a two-time Grand Slam champion by winning the last four legs with clinical finishing for an 8-7 victory and the title.
He follows two other members of the world's top three in winning Autumn Series titles in Germany. World No 1 Van Gerwen was Monday's winner and world champion Peter Wright was victorious on Sunday's opening day.
Petersen had accounted for major winners Robert Thornton and Nathan Aspinall in his run to the final, but a stunning 6-0 demolition of MvG had been the highlight as months of hard work looked close to yielding his first title.
A 7-2 victory in the semi-final, clinched by a brilliant 116 finish, saw off his good friend Joe Cullen and booked a maiden ranking final as well as halting Cullen's hopes of a second final in three days.
Price had been equally impressive in his run to the final, a 105 average to beat Ryan Searle in the semi-final capping a run that included wins over Monday's beaten finalist Mensur Suljovic in the last eight and Sunday's winner Damon Heta earlier in the day.
It was Price who prevailed but for Petersen, the run should secure him a World Grand Prix debut next month and will keep him in contention for a spot at the Grand Slam of Darts in November.
Five days of Autumn Series action comes to a halt on Wednesday when the winner of the Order of Merit, or the player highest placed that isn't already in the field, will secure a spot on the Grand Slam.
It is also the penultimate tournament before the new cut-off for places at the World Grand Prix which is the German Darts Championship on September 25-27 after the PDC's return gathers pace in Salzburg for the World Series of Darts this weekend.
Five days of Autumn Series action comes to a halt on Wednesday when the winner of the Order of Merit, or the player highest placed that isn't already in the field, will secure a spot on the Grand Slam.
It is also the penultimate tournament before the new cut-off for places at the World Grand Prix which is the German Darts Championship on September 25-27 after the PDC's return gathers pace in Salzburg for the World Series of Darts this weekend.
Michael van Gerwen sent out a loud statement with a Pro Tour victory at the Autumn Series in Germany on Monday.
The Green Machine has been struggling for form of late, suffering a shock early exit at the World Matchplay, and missing out on the Premier League play-offs for the first time
The world number one impressed throughout the day, averaging three figures in his wins over Reece Robinson, Dirk van Duijvenbode, Glen Durrant and Damon Heta. Having gained revenge on the Australian for his defeat on Sunday, MVG then saw off Nick Kenny for a spot in the decider against Mensur Suljovic.
The final was all one-way traffic, as MVG won 8-1 to seal the title
Damon Heta beat Joe Cullen to claim his maiden ranking title on day two at the Autumn Series - having earlier sent Michael van Gerwen packing.
The Aussie, who won the Brisbane Darts Masters as a qualifier in 2019, beat a host of notable names before sinking Cullen 8-4 in the final in Niedernhausen, Germany. Heta's win puts him in the running for a place at the Grand Slam of Darts and will move him up the world rankings
Peter Wright's brilliant 2020 continued as he opened the PDC Autumn Series in Niedernhausen with a superb Day One victory, while Lisa Ashton recorded a memorable win over Michael Smith.
The world champion showed his class in a superb day of darts as he beat Madars Razma 8-1 in the final to clinch a second successive Players Championship title, following his win on the final day of July's Summer Series.
Wright averaged almost 100 in each of his first five matches, including wins over recent World Matchplay champion Dimitri Van den Bergh and Premier League leader Glen Durrant as well as a brilliant 109 average to see over Van Gerwen in a thrilling semi-final.
Darts returns to Sky Sports in October with the World Grand Prix and the Premier League Play-Offs. Follow us @SkySportsDarts to stay up to date with all the news.
