Kenyan David Munyua causes a huge shock on his PDC World Championship debut, coming back from two sets behind to beat world number 18 Mike de Decker.
Kenyan debutant David Munyua caused a huge shock at the PDC World Championship, coming from two sets down to beat world number 18 Mike de Decker 3-2 at Alexandra Palace.
It was an enthralling encounter to end the afternoon session on Thursday, with Munyua missing darts to win the second set, doing the same in the third but coming back to win it, edging the fourth and coming back to win the fifth.
The 30-year-old, who qualified via the African Darts Group Qualifier, was broken in the first leg of the decider but produced an astounding outer bull-treble 20-bullseye 135 finish to level the fifth set, before holding his nerve to complete victory.
Another debutant, Japan's Motomu Sakai, looked to have stolen the show earlier in the afternoon session as he beat Thibault Tricole of France in straight sets.
Sakai gained the support of the Alexandra Palace crowd with a long, exuberant walk-on and was a showman who played up to the fans throughout his match.
Elsewhere, world number 24 Ryan Joyce produced a composed display to see off fellow Englishman Owen Bates, averaging 95.27 and hitting nine of his 14 attempts at double.
Thursday's other winner was world number 42 Callan Rydz, who only dropped three legs as he comfortably won 3-0 against Hungary's Patrik Kovacs.
In the evening session, Fallon Sherrock - who in December 2019 became the first woman to win a match at a PDC World Championship - takes on 2021 semi-finalist Dave Chisnall, while three-time champion Michael van Gerwen begins his tournament against Mitsuhiko Tatsunami.
More to follow.
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Thursday's results and schedule
Afternoon results
- Callan Rydz 3-0 Patrik Kovacs
- Thibault Tricole 0-3 Motomu Sakai
- Ryan Joyce 3-0 Owen Bates
- Mike de Decker 2-3 David Munyua
Evening session (from 19:00 GMT)
- Jermaine Wattimena v Dominik Gruellich
- Dave Chisnall v Fallon Sherrock
- Michael van Gerwen v Mitsuhiko Tatsunami
- Krzysztof Ratajski v Alexis Toylo
Category: General Sports
