Merciless Price Powers through but Man Lok Leung steals the show to send Van Veen Packing

Merciless Price Powers through but Man Lok Leung steals the show to send Van Veen Packing.

Gerwyn Price won his first Paddy Power World Darts Championship match with a ruthless effort on Monday, while Man Lok Leung inflicted the tournament’s first upset at Alexandra Palace.

Price entered the fight in the capital on Day Four of the sport’s main event, and the Welshman reaffirmed his title credentials with a strong straight-sets triumph over Connor Scutt.

The 38-year-old blasted by the rookie in a flash, averaging 98 and smashing in five 180s to send a warning shot to his title rivals.

Price, one of seven World Champions in this year’s tournament, won the first set with a ton-plus average and extended his winning streak to six straight legs to continue the procession.

Price survived a late scare, rebounding to five missed match darts with a magnificent 12-darter to ensure his progress, before Scutt opened his account with a 121 finish on tops to kick off set three.

“It was a decent performance, but there’s plenty more in the tank,” claimed Price, the number five seed this year.

“The first round is always tough. You don’t want to be going home before Christmas, so I’m glad I’ve won this game, and hopefully I will come back a little bit better and more refreshed.

“I know my game is in a good place. I’m playing well, so fingers crossed I can go all the way.”

On Monday’s action, Leung put on a spectacular performance on his World Championship debut, coming back from 2-0 down in sets to defeat the highly-rated Gian van Veen.

Leung put in one of the finest performances by an International Qualifier on the Ally Pally stage, averaging 96.26 and crashing in 11 maximums to defeat a shell-shocked Van Veen.

The Dutchman won a high-quality first set before doubling his lead in an incredible second set that saw the Asian Tour qualifier squander 12 darts across three legs to tie the match.

“I am so happy, because I never thought I could win this match,” admitted Leung – a winner of three PDC Asian Tour titles in 2023.

“I have never played in the World Championship before, so I wanted to enjoy it on the stage and show everyone what I can do.

“I have played against Gabriel in the World Cup. I know he’s a great player, but I have nothing to lose.”

Thibault Tricole also made history on a remarkable night of action, becoming the first French player to compete in the World Championship and winning 3-1 over Mario Vandenbogaerde on his debut.

Despite losing two darts to win the first set, Tricole recovered brilliantly to make his impact on the sport’s grandest stage, sinking three 180s and pinning 46% of his double tries to win.

“I am so proud to be here,” reflected Tricole, who will meet 2018 World Champion Rob Cross in round two on Thursday December 21.

“Mario is a good friend of mine on the circuit. He didn’t play his best game, but I took advantage of his mistakes, and I am very happy to win.

“There was a lot of media attention before this game, so winning my first game – I think this will be a good moment for the sport in France.”

 

Martin Lukeman advanced to the second round against Damon Heta after a hard-fought 3-1 victory over New Zealand’s Haupai Puha.

Lukeman used 114 and 110 combinations to take a two-set lead before holding off a mid-game revival from Puha to return to winning ways on the big stage.

“I’m a fighter, that’s what I do,” declared Lukeman, who is relishing his clash against Australia’s number one on Thursday.

“This is the one that everyone wants. You work all year to get here, and every player wants to compete at the World Championship.

“Damon is an absolute gentleman. He’s a great guy and we always have a battle. I’m looking forward to it.”

 

 

2023/24 Paddy Power World Darts Championship

Monday December 18

3x First Round, 1x Second Round

Thibault Tricole 3-1 Mario Vandenbogaerde (2-3, 3-2, 3-2, 3-2) (R1)

Man Lok Leung 3-2 Gian van Veen (2-3, 2-3, 3-1, 3-1, 3-1) (R1)

Martin Lukeman 3-1 Haupai Puha (3-0, 3-1, 2-3, 3-0) (R1)

Gerwyn Price 3-0 Connor Scutt (3-0, 3-0, 3-2) (R2)