Dobey ends Sherrock’s fairy-tale run as Aspinall ousts Anderson to reach Quarter-Finals

Chris Dobey brought Fallon Sherrock’s historic PDC World Championship debut to a halt with a 4-2 victory in Round Three on Friday, while Nathan Aspinall knocked out Gary Anderson to progress to the Quarter-Finals.

Sherrock had taken the tournament by storm prior to the Christmas break, following up her ground-breaking First Round win over Ted Evetts with a sensational scalp of eleventh seed Mensur Suljovic.

The 25-year-old, however, saw her quest for a hat-trick of wins in her debut PDC World Championship campaign ended by world number 22 Dobey – who reeled off three consecutive sets from 2-1 down to prevail.

Sherrock got off to the perfect start by landing a 77 finish to take the opening set 3-1 after six missed darts at doubles from Dobey.

Checkouts of 104 and 96 were not enough to prevent Dobey from taking the second set, but an undeterred Sherrock produced a stunning 142 checkout on her way to regaining a 2-1 overall advantage.

That was as good as it got for Sherrock, however, as two-time major semi-finalist Dobey found top gear to drop just one more leg and end the contest with a 101 average and eleven 180s.

“Without a doubt that is one of the hardest and biggest wins of my career,” said Dobey.

“I said I wanted a test and I got it, Fallon threw absolutely everything at me so I take my hat off to her.

“It was hard to be the person to put Fallon out because I wanted to see her do well like everyone else.

“I want to see Fallon go on and keep making a name for herself but I’m here to earn a living for my family.”

Sherrock admitted: “Chris played really well at the end and I couldn’t keep up with him.

“I’ve loved every minute of this experience. The crowd were incredible again, I loved the way they were so supportive.

“I’ve never experienced anything like it before but hopefully I will in the future.

“I hope this journey can continue, I’m going to Q School in January where I hope to win a Tour Card and I’ve also got the World Series event in New York to look forward to in June.”

Meanwhile, UK Open champion Aspinall advanced to the Quarter-Finals at Ally Pally for the second year running courtesy of a 4-2 win over two-time World Champion Anderson.

Aspinall sends home Anderson in style (Photo by Lawrence Lustig/PDC)

A tight contest began with the Scotsman winning the opening set, but after he strayed into double 15 when requiring 20 in the deciding leg of set two, Aspinall punished with double 16 to level.

The next two sets were shared, before set five continued the trend of going to a fifth leg, as Aspinall held his nerve on double four to go 3-2 up in sets.

Aspinall landed his 11th 180 of the match in the sixth set which he won, without the need for a deciding leg, on double ten to move within a win of back-to-back World Championship Semi-Final appearances.

“To beat Gary Anderson, a legend of the sport, on the World Championship stage means the world to me,” admitted Aspinall.

“It’s an indescribable feeling and these are the moments you play darts for.

“I had a great run here last year, followed by a strong 2019 but I’ve not had the best last couple of months so I’m delighted to see my game shine through.

“There was definitely pressure on myself coming into this tournament, there were a lot of people backing me to win it and I take confidence from that.”

Aspinall is joined in the Quarter-Finals by reigning champion Michael van Gerwen, who continued his title defence as he swept aside Stephen Bunting 4-0 in a dominant display.

The world number one averaged 104 as he struck seven 180s and landed a 130 checkout on his way to a seventh Quarter-Final berth in his last eight World Championship outings.

Glen Durrant, a three-time televised semi-finalist in his maiden year in the PDC, continued his dream debut at Alexandra Palace with a hard-fought 4-2 win over world number six Daryl Gurney.

Three-time Lakeside Champion Durrant twice led in sets, only for dogged Northern Irishman Gurney to fight back on both occasions to level the contest at 2-2.

With Gurney throwing first in the deciding leg of set five, Durrant produced a timely 180 followed by a 62 checkout in two darts to regain the advantage.

Gurney looked to have recovered with a break of throw to lead 2-1 in set six, only for Durrant to land a 109 checkout, his fourth ton-plus finish of the match, before sealing victory with a 13-dart leg.

There was no such drama for Gerwyn Price, as the world number three enjoyed a straightforward passage to the last 16 with a comprehensive 4-0 whitewash of John Henderson.

Welshman Price survived a scare from William O’Connor in his opening match, but the two-time Grand Slam of Darts champion roared back in style with an eye-catching 104.2 average.

Price’s next assignment will see him come up against Simon Whitlock, who reached the last 16 for the first time in six years with a 4-1 win over Mervyn King.

Former semi-finalist King enjoyed a perfect start, winning the first five legs before Whitlock stopped the rot and won three legs in a row to level at 1-1 in sets.

Whitlock once again won the deciding leg in set three to take a 2-1 lead, and the Australian number one proceeded to land a 148 checkout on his way to winning the last two sets.

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William Hill World Championship 2019/20 Results

Friday December 27

Afternoon Session

Third Round
Simon Whitlock 4-1 Mervyn King
Daryl Gurney 2-4 Glen Durrant
Fallon Sherrock 2-4 Chris Dobey

Evening Session
Gerwyn Price 4-0 John Henderson (RD3)
Gary Anderson 2-4 Nathan Aspinall (RD4)
Michael van Gerwen 4-0 Stephen Bunting (RD4)