Munch aiming to use Lewis upset as catalyst to become Germany’s top darting talent
Munch reaches Round Two for the first time since his walk-over in 2011 (credit:Lawrence Lustig/PDC)
Kevin Munch has described his shock victory over Adrian Lewis at the World Championship as his “biggest win” and hopes he has what it takes to become Germany’s top darting superstar.
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Munch pulled off an incredible upset at Alexandra Palace on Tuesday as he came from a set down to knock out the two-time World Champion for a place in the Second Round.
Lewis had never lost in the opening round of a PDC World Championship but was left stunned by an inspired turnaround from the 29-year-old left-hander.
Munch had earlier progressed through a Preliminary Round clash with Russia’s Aleksandr Oreshkin in straight sets and raised his game on his return later in the evening, hitting eight 180s and three ton-plus checkouts to send Lewis crashing out of tournament and out of the world’s top 16.
“I’m over the moon,” said Munch. “I can’t believe what I’ve done and I don’t really know what to say.
“It’s unbelievable for me, it’s the biggest win in my career and I’m very proud.
“I was so nervous when I came back to the stage but then I thought just play your game, you have nothing to lose.
“I didn’t believe I could win before the match dart and I had to just take it in.”
Munch, 29, recently quit his job as a landscape gardener in his hometown of Bochum in order to focus on carving out a career as a professional darts player.
Prior to heading to Ally Pally, he had mustered just £2,000 in prize money in 2017 but is now assured of at least £18,500 for reaching the Last 32.
Munch will head to the all-new European Qualifying School in January, where he hopes to follow in the footsteps of fellow countrymen Max Hopp and Martin Schindler in gaining a Tour Card.
“I stopped my job four months ago to be a professional,” added Munch. “I will go to Q School and try to get a tour card, it is a big step for me.”
When asked whether he feels he has what it takes to become Germany’s leading darter, he replied: “I hope so!
“We will see what the future will bring, I can’t tell it and I won’t tell it.
Munch awaits the winner of the all-Spanish clash between Cristo Reyes and Antonio Alcinas and hopes he can continue his superb run of form.
“I know both of them well and I hope I can bring this form into the next game.
“Tonight there were so many German and English fans calling my name and I capitalised.
“I was thinking ‘what is going on?’ for me it’s not normal.”
