Kyle Anderson hits sensational nine-darter at the European Championship
Anderson celebrates another landmark moment in his career (credit:Kelly Deckers)
Kyle Anderson produced a spectacular nine-dart finish against Michael van Gerwen in the Semi-Finals of the 2017 European Championship in Hasselt on Sunday.
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The Australian ace landed the second televised perfect leg of his career, but it was not enough to prevent a dramatic deciding-leg defeat to the world number one at the Etihas Arena.
Trailing 6-4, Anderson kicked off the eleventh leg with back-to-back 180s before firing in a seventh treble 20, a treble 19 and double 12 to complete the remarkable feat.
The nine-darter is his second on a major televised stage, following on from the 2014 World Championship, and will earn him a £25,000 bonus providing no other player matches the feat during the remainder of the tournament.
It is the third nine-darter in European Championship history to add to Adrian Lewis’ effort in 2011 and Michael van Gerwen’s in 2014.
Anderson was ultimately left to rue two missed match darts in the deciding leg as Van Gerwen took out 76 to book his place in the final for the fourth consecutive year.
The world number 23 hit eleven maximums in his first appearance in a major Semi-Final, but after battling back from 6-3 and 8-5 down, failed to close out what would have been a memorable victory.
“I loved every minute of it,” said Anderson. “When you put people under pressure they miss doubles and that’s what I did with the 80 shot for the win.
“I wanted to get to the final and win this tournament – you don’t come just to participate, you come to win.
“I had my opportunities on double ten and double five, I don’t usually miss them but I did and fair play to Michael, he took out the 76 and he’s in the final.”
