Darts’ fastest player wins one of greatest games EVER as another seed sent crashing
Ricky Evans sent Dave Chisnall crashing out of the PDC World Championship in an epic second round showdown as the big names continue to fall at Ally Pally. Evans produced one of the performances of his life to book his place in the tournament after Christmas, but the game was just as notable for a remarkable Chisnall miscount. GettyRicky Evans won an absolute classic against his fellow Englishman to advance to round three[/caption] Trailing 4-3 in extra time of the deciding set, Chizzy took out a blistering 131 finish – the only issue being he needed 139. Chisnall celebrated before being told by the match referee he still required eight to complete the leg. Fortunately he returned to take the leg on double one, but as the final set went the distance to stand level at 5-5, it was Evans with the throw who claimed the decider and a place in the last 32. Evans lays claim to being the fastest player on planet darts and his lightning-quick style and Christmas-inspired walk-ons have seen him emerge as one of the Ally Pally crowd’s favourites. Rapid Ricky can fire off a maximum 180 in less than five seconds when he is fully firing – and he clattered in five of them in a blink and you’ll miss it contest against sixth seed Chisnall. In a blistering 53 minutes of action on the Alexandra Palace stage, the 45th-ranked Evans put paid to Chizzy’s World Championship hopes and sent another seed crashing out of the tournament. It was an thrilling encounter that didn’t deserve a loser. As commentator Rod Studd put it, “An absolute epic. A Christmas cracker on the main stage. That is one of the greatest games ever seen in the second round of the World Championships. It had absolutely everything.” Just over an hour after Evans’ triumph, fifth seed and 2018 world champion Rob Cross joined Chisnall and Michael Smith as members of the world’s top 10 to bow out. It means a record 14 of the 32 seeds have now headed home for Christmas – and won’t be returning for the latter stages of the three-week extravaganza. As he fired in clinical finish after three-figure score, Evans roared in defiance down the closing moments ‘I’m still here’ and then delighted the crowd with his antics on the stage after a memorable and rollercoaster 3-2 win. “I would have been distraught if I lost that game, because I put so much into it,” Evans told his post game media conference. “I want to beat everyone. I don’t care who is in my way, if I play my game I’ve got a chance, and I have to believe this. “It is lovely to be able to go home for Christmas with the family knowing that I’m coming back here.” The seeds have tumbled on a daily basis in north London, Gary Anderson and another former champion in Smith had headlined the early exit with Chisnall and Cross joining them. Chizzy became the second highest player to perish, only to be trumped by Cross shortly afterwards Christmas – while Evans cemented his status a crowd favourite. Accompanied by a toy Santa, after a cuddle toy elf had joined him for his first round win over Gordon Mathers – the Evans walk on was a sight to behold. The entire West Hall of Alexandra Palace rose to their feet, and belted out the festive Shakin’ Stevens classic ‘Merry Christmas Everyone’ to send Evans on his way. GettyEvans triumphed in a deciding sudden death leg[/caption] After losing the first set to an inspired Chisnall who averaged more than 100, Evans roared back to take the second and third sets, much to the delight of the crowd. Chisnall levelled to take the match to a deciding fifth set, where Evans was first to strike and moved 2-1 in front. Chizzy levelled to take the match into extra time, meaning a player needs to win by two clear legs. Evans took out 74 to lead 3-2, before back to back legs from Chisnall put him in front and paved the way for a missed dart at double top for the match. It gave Evans a chance to take out 110 for another level contest and with his every dart at the board cheered to the rafters, Rapid Ricky seized the initiative again to lead 5-4. But a topsy turvy contest had one more twist with Chisnall’s dramatic miscount. He managed to win the leg, but not the match, as Evans took out the decider. Evans reward is a showdown with Welsh qualifier Robert Owen when the tournament resumes after the three-day Christmas break – and a chance to make his own slice of history beckons. View Tweet: https://t.co/KdELkRv4K2 Crashing out 14 of the 32 seeds have crashed out of the World Darts ChampionshiP (2) Michael Smith (5) Rob Cross (6) Dave Chisnall (13) Danny Noppert (14) Gary Anderson (16) James Wade (19) Ross Smith (23) Martin Schindler (24) Mike De Decker (25) Dirk van Duijvenbode (27) Gabriel Clemens (28) Gian van Veen (29) Richie Edhouse (32) Raymond van Barveveld The 34-year-old from Kettering has never gone beyond the last 32 at the World Champ
Ricky Evans sent Dave Chisnall crashing out of the PDC World Championship in an epic second round showdown as the big names continue to fall at Ally Pally.
Evans produced one of the performances of his life to book his place in the tournament after Christmas, but the game was just as notable for a remarkable Chisnall miscount.
Trailing 4-3 in extra time of the deciding set, Chizzy took out a blistering 131 finish – the only issue being he needed 139.
Chisnall celebrated before being told by the match referee he still required eight to complete the leg.
Fortunately he returned to take the leg on double one, but as the final set went the distance to stand level at 5-5, it was Evans with the throw who claimed the decider and a place in the last 32.
Evans lays claim to being the fastest player on planet darts and his lightning-quick style and Christmas-inspired walk-ons have seen him emerge as one of the Ally Pally crowd’s favourites.
Rapid Ricky can fire off a maximum 180 in less than five seconds when he is fully firing – and he clattered in five of them in a blink and you’ll miss it contest against sixth seed Chisnall.
In a blistering 53 minutes of action on the Alexandra Palace stage, the 45th-ranked Evans put paid to Chizzy’s World Championship hopes and sent another seed crashing out of the tournament.
It was an thrilling encounter that didn’t deserve a loser. As commentator Rod Studd put it, “An absolute epic. A Christmas cracker on the main stage. That is one of the greatest games ever seen in the second round of the World Championships. It had absolutely everything.”
Just over an hour after Evans’ triumph, fifth seed and 2018 world champion Rob Cross joined Chisnall and Michael Smith as members of the world’s top 10 to bow out.
It means a record 14 of the 32 seeds have now headed home for Christmas – and won’t be returning for the latter stages of the three-week extravaganza.
As he fired in clinical finish after three-figure score, Evans roared in defiance down the closing moments ‘I’m still here’ and then delighted the crowd with his antics on the stage after a memorable and rollercoaster 3-2 win.
“I would have been distraught if I lost that game, because I put so much into it,” Evans told his post game media conference.
“I want to beat everyone. I don’t care who is in my way, if I play my game I’ve got a chance, and I have to believe this.
“It is lovely to be able to go home for Christmas with the family knowing that I’m coming back here.”
The seeds have tumbled on a daily basis in north London, Gary Anderson and another former champion in Smith had headlined the early exit with Chisnall and Cross joining them.
Chizzy became the second highest player to perish, only to be trumped by Cross shortly afterwards Christmas – while Evans cemented his status a crowd favourite.
Accompanied by a toy Santa, after a cuddle toy elf had joined him for his first round win over Gordon Mathers – the Evans walk on was a sight to behold.
The entire West Hall of Alexandra Palace rose to their feet, and belted out the festive Shakin’ Stevens classic ‘Merry Christmas Everyone’ to send Evans on his way.
After losing the first set to an inspired Chisnall who averaged more than 100, Evans roared back to take the second and third sets, much to the delight of the crowd.
Chisnall levelled to take the match to a deciding fifth set, where Evans was first to strike and moved 2-1 in front.
Chizzy levelled to take the match into extra time, meaning a player needs to win by two clear legs.
Evans took out 74 to lead 3-2, before back to back legs from Chisnall put him in front and paved the way for a missed dart at double top for the match.
It gave Evans a chance to take out 110 for another level contest and with his every dart at the board cheered to the rafters, Rapid Ricky seized the initiative again to lead 5-4.
But a topsy turvy contest had one more twist with Chisnall’s dramatic miscount. He managed to win the leg, but not the match, as Evans took out the decider.
Evans reward is a showdown with Welsh qualifier Robert Owen when the tournament resumes after the three-day Christmas break – and a chance to make his own slice of history beckons.
Crashing out
14 of the 32 seeds have crashed out of the World Darts ChampionshiP
(2) Michael Smith
(5) Rob Cross
(6) Dave Chisnall
(13) Danny Noppert
(14) Gary Anderson
(16) James Wade
(19) Ross Smith
(23) Martin Schindler
(24) Mike De Decker
(25) Dirk van Duijvenbode
(27) Gabriel Clemens
(28) Gian van Veen
(29) Richie Edhouse
(32) Raymond van Barveveld
The 34-year-old from Kettering has never gone beyond the last 32 at the World Championship and has only twice reached the quarter-finals or better of a major PDC ranking tournament – his best showing being the UK Open last four earlier this year.
But in a darting year of upsets, Evans has the chance to write his own Christmas fairytale – and the fans will lap up every second.
Tune into talkSPORT 2 for coverage of the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship, as we bring you exclusive live commentary from Alexandra Palace. Listen via our web player, app, on DAB, or through your smart speaker.
