Ricky Evans despatched world quantity six Dave Chisnall crashing out of the World Championship as the large names proceed to wrestle at Alexandra Palace.
Evans produced one of many performances of his life to guide his place within the match after Christmas, however the recreation was simply as notable for a outstanding Dave Chisnall miscount.
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Trailing 4-3 in additional time of the deciding set, Chizzy took out a blistering 131 end – the one problem being he wanted 139.
Chisnall celebrated earlier than being advised by the match referee he nonetheless required eight to finish the leg.
Fortuitously he returned to take the leg on double one, however as the ultimate set went the gap to face degree at 5-5, it was Evans with the throw who claimed the decider and a spot within the final 32.
Evans lays declare to being the quickest participant on planet darts however his Christmas-inspired walk-ons have seen him emerge as one of many Ally Pally crowd’s favourites.
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Fast Ricky can fireplace off a most 180 in lower than 5 seconds when he’s absolutely firing – and he clattered in 5 of them in a blink and you will miss it contest towards sixth seed Chisnall.
In a blistering 53 minutes of motion on the Alexandra Palace stage, Evans put paid to Chizzy’s World Championship hopes and despatched one other seed crashing out of the match.
Simply over an hour later, fifth seed and 2018 world champion Rob Cross joined Chisnall and Michael Smith has members of the world’s prime 10 to bow out.
It means a report 14 of the 32 seeds have now headed house for Christmas – and will not be returned for latter levels of the three-week extravaganza.
As he fired in scientific end after three-figure rating, Evans roared in defiance down the closing moments ‘I am nonetheless right here’ after which delighted the group together with his antics on the stage after a memorable and rollercoaster 3-2 win.
“I’d have been distraught if I misplaced that recreation, as a result of I put a lot into it,” Evans advised his submit recreation media convention.
“I need to beat everybody. I don’t care who’s in my manner, if I play my recreation I’ve acquired an opportunity, and I’ve to consider this.
“It’s pretty to have the ability to go house for Christmas with the household figuring out that I’m coming again right here.”
The seeds have tumbled every day in north London, Gary Anderson and one other former champion in Smith had headlined the early exit with Chisnall and Cross becoming a member of them.
Chizzy turned the second highest participant to perish, solely to be trumped by Cross shortly afterwards Christmas – whereas Evans cemented his standing a crowd favorite.
Accompanied by a toy Santa, after a cuddle toy elf had joined him for his first spherical win over Gordon Mathers – the Evans stroll on was a sight to behold.
The whole West Corridor of Alexandra Palace rose to their ft, and belted out the festive Shakin’ Stevens basic ‘Merry Christmas Everybody’ to ship Evans on his manner.
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After shedding the primary set to an impressed Chisnall who averaged greater than 100, Evans roared again to take the second and third units, a lot to the delight of the group.
Chisnall levelled to take the match to a deciding fifth set, the place Evans was first to strike and moved 2-1 in entrance.
Chizzy levelled to take the match into additional time, which means a participant must win by two clear legs.
Evans took out 74 to guide 3-2, earlier than again to again legs from Chisnall put him in entrance and paved the way in which for a missed dart at double prime for the match.
It gave Evans an opportunity to take out 110 for one more degree contest and together with his each dart on the board cheered to the rafters, Fast Ricky seized the initiative once more to guide 5-4.
However a topsy turvy contest had another twist with Chisnall’s dramatic miscount. He managed to win the leg, however not the match, as Evans took out the decider.
Evans reward is a showdown with Welsh qualifier Robert Owen when the match resumes after the three-day Christmas break – and an opportunity to make his personal slice of historical past beckons.
Crashing out
13 of the 32 seeds have crashed out of the World Darts Championship
(2) Michael Smith
(6) Dave Chisnall
(13) Danny Noppert
(14) Gary Anderson
(16) James Wade
(19) Ross Smith
(23) Martin Schindler
(24) Mike De Decker
(25) Dirk van Duijvenbode
(27) Gabriel Clemens
(28) Gian van Veen
(29) Richie Edhouse
(32) Raymond van Barveveld
The 34-year-old from Kettering has by no means gone past the final 32 on the World Championship and has solely twice reached the quarter-finals or higher of a significant PDC rating match – his finest displaying being the UK Open final 4 earlier this yr.
However in a darting yr of upsets, Evans has the prospect to put in writing his personal Christmas fairytale – and the followers will lap up each second.
Tune into talkSPORT 2 for protection of the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship, as we convey you unique dwell commentary from Alexandra Palace. Hear through our internet participant, app, on DAB, or via your good speaker.