Dave Chisnall's hopes of lifting the PDC World Darts Championship trophy were dramatically extinguished on Saturday, despite a stunning display of power scoring that saw him hit 11 180s. The Englishman, seeded 21st, fell to a gripping 3-2 defeat against Germany's Ricardo Pietreczko in a second-round classic at London's Alexandra Palace.
Chisnall's Double Trouble Proves Costly
The match turned into a tale of missed opportunities for Chisnall. Despite his extraordinary scoring, which included a brilliant 113 checkout to lead in the deciding set, his finishing on the doubles let him down at crucial moments. Pietreczko capitalised, taking the first two sets as Chisnall struggled to find his range.
Chisnall, a semi-finalist in 2021, staged a remarkable fightback to level the match, showcasing the heavy scoring that makes him a fan favourite. The drama peaked in the final set when he had a chance to seal victory, but he missed double 16 for a 143 checkout. Pietreczko, who did not hit a single 180, showed immense resilience to win the final three legs, posting an average of 88.58 to Chisnall's 88.15.
Ally Pally Says Goodbye to Cult Hero Sakai
Saturday's afternoon session also saw the emotional departure of another crowd favourite, Japan's Motomu Sakai. The 28-year-old qualifier, who had become a cult hero with his energetic dance walk-on and fan interaction, was beaten 3-0 by Sweden's Andreas Harrysson.
Harrysson admitted afterwards that Sakai's unique entrance had been a concern. "I was a bit worried seeing his walk-on," said the Swede, who had already knocked out 12th seed Ross Smith. "How he does the stage, but I think I managed it quite OK. It's a great feeling." Sakai had thrilled the Ally Pally crowd with a 3-0 whitewash of Thibault Tricole in the first round.
Other Second-Round Action Unfolds
Elsewhere on day, Ryan Searle produced an impressive performance to dispatch Brendan Dolan in straight sets, averaging over 98. "He missed a few doubles here and there and I was pretty ruthless," said Searle, who is aiming to progress beyond the third round for the first time.
James Hurrell claimed a significant career victory, upsetting the 29th seed, Dirk van Duijvenbode, in a tense 3-2 battle. Hurrell missed two match darts to win the final set 3-0 but held his nerve to secure the win in the next leg, setting up a potential clash with fourth seed Stephen Bunting.
The action at Alexandra Palace continues as the tournament progresses towards the coveted Sid Waddell Trophy.
