Brendan Dolan has advanced to the last 16 of the PDC World Championship for the first time, after a 4-2 victory over Mervyn King.
The 45-year old Fermanagh native was the superior player in a hard fought contest, with King recovering from an early 2-0 deficit to push his opponent all the way. Dolan's ability to come up with ton-plus finishes proved vital, producing five during the match. He also maintained a 95 point three-dart average.
Dolan dominated in the first two sets, racing out into a quick 2-0 lead. King was struggling to consistently put up big scores, and Dolan was hitting his doubles at an excellent rate. Dolan had two 100+ check-outs, and looked streaks ahead of his opponent.
BREAK!
Brendan Dolan levels up the second set with a big 126 checkout!#WHDarts pic.twitter.com/QjHOGw6O5R— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 23, 2018
Their fortunes reversed in the third set, as King finally started to come out of his shell. While it would go to a deciding leg, the Englishman deservedly got to within one set. Dolan would go on to miss a number of doubles in the fourth set, allowing King to level the match at 2-2.
A break of throw in the first leg of the fifth set proved to be key, and despite giving the darts back a few legs later, he held his nerve and stormed into a 3-2 lead.
DOLAN LEADS!
Brendan Dolan breaks throw to move ahead once more in this game at 3-2. #WHDarts pic.twitter.com/JaQLyQUzQk— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 23, 2018
He started the deciding set with 107 check-out, and playing with the darts, he never really looked like letting it slip. Another 100+ finish put him within one leg of the victory, and comfortably held his throw in the final leg to take the match.
DOLAN WINS | The History Maker knocks out Merv King 4-2.
How far can Brendan go this year...?#WHDarts pic.twitter.com/XIj9oHmNEm— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 23, 2018
Dolan said after the match that he is feeling confident, having put far more time into his practicing routine than he had done in previous years.
“It feels amazing to come out on top of that one.”
Brendan Dolan reacts to his 4-2 victory over Mervyn King... pic.twitter.com/hld0hxZcUs— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 23, 2018
He will now face either 30th seed Benito van de Pas or unseeded Toni Alcinas in the next round. With most seeded players now eliminated in his quarter of the draw, has has an opportunity to advance deep into the competition.
