Cameron Menzies (Photo PDC)
Cameron Menzies produced a magnificent 170 checkout to stun Luke Humphries 10-7 in round one of the World Matchplay last night.
Menzies – entering his second World Matchplay tournament – eliminated world number two Humphries with a magical display of finishing, picking up his first win on the Winter Gardens stage in the process.
After a frantic start with seven straight breaks of throw including a wonderful double-double 129 outshot from Menzies and an emphatic 167 reply from Humphries, the Scottish number two won five legs straight to lead 8-3.
Humphries dug deep and took four consecutive legs of his own, but Menzies maintained his composure, taking out 98 before conjuring a magical big fish finish to secure a historic victory.
“No matter what I do in my life, I will take this to my grave,” professed Menzies, who will now take on Ross Smith in the last 16.
“No one gave me hope, I didn’t give myself hope – I’ve finally won a game at the Winter Gardens!
“When it was at 7-3, I was just trying not to think of that finish line.
“To beat someone as amazing as Humphries on this stage… that’s my biggest win in the PDC.”
Smith was forced to defy a fantastic fightback from debutant Kevin Doets to triumph 10-6 in a thrilling match, thereby picking up a third win on the Winter Gardens stage.
The former European Champion burst into a 5-0 lead which included a ten-dart leg and massive 160 outshot, although Doets rallied to reduce the arrears to 6-4.
Smith took three legs straight to go one away from victory, and despite Doets taking out a skin-saving 161 checkout to threaten a remarkable comeback, the Englishman sealed victory with a 120 finish.
“When Kevin came back fighting it was a bit nervy, but all credit to him,” said Smith, who finished the match with a ton-plus average and 56% doubles success rate.
“He’s a really nice lad and what a player. He’s just averaged 104 on his debut at the World Matchplay. I wish I could have done that!
“I started the game really well. I’ve been working on my finishing and it’s been paying off, so long may it continue.”
“I was sat up there [at the Winter Gardens] when I was 14 years old watching darts, so it’s amazing to be here. It’s an absolute privilege.”
Doets’ 104.19 average was the highest-ever recorded in a debut match at the World Matchplay, despite the Dutchman bowing out.
Meanwhile, Gerwyn Price produced a resilient comeback to see off Martin Schindler 11-9 and record his sixth consecutive round one win in Blackpool.
Despite the German number one leading 4-0 and then 6-2, Price battled back to lead 9-8, only for Schindler to deliver a clutch 121 checkout to take the match to a tie-break.
Nevertheless, the former World Champion immediately broke throw to lead 10-9, before pinning a 100 checkout to squeeze through and condemn Schindler to a fifth consecutive defeat at the World Matchplay.
“Without the crowd, I would have lost today,” confessed Price, who came back from 6-2 down to win nine of the last 12 legs.
“It was probably the worst I’ve played all season. It was a tough one for me, I’m low on confidence at the minute just because I haven’t played a lot.
“That’s probably one of those game I should have lost, but I’ve won and I’m still in the tournament. I’ll put some hours on the board tomorrow.
“I’ll definitely be better the next round, I can’t be any worse!”
Price will face Rob Cross in round two, after the former World Matchplay champion dispatched Danny Noppert 10-3 with relative ease.
The 2017/18 World Champion bulldozed into a 5-0 lead and maintained the Dutchman at an arm’s length throughout, finishing the match with an average north of 97 and 53% strike rate on the doubles.
Round two of the Betfred World Matchplay commences with a blockbuster session tonight, with reigning champion Luke Littler looking to continue his title defence against Nathan Aspinall, while Michael van Gerwen takes on fellow Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode.
Jonny Clayton faces Gary Anderson in a fascinating tussle, while Premier League stars Stephen Bunting and Josh Rock collide in the final match.
RESULTS
Round One
Ross Smith 10-6 Kevin Doets
Gerwyn Price 11-9 Martin Schindler
Cameron Menzies 10-7 Luke Humphries
Rob Cross 10-3 Danny Noppert
