Ricky Evans sent world number six Dave Chisnall crashing out of the World Championship as the big names continue to struggle at Alexandra Palace.
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 Dave Chisnall miscount.
GettyRicky Evans produced the best performance of his Ally Pally career to knock Dave Chisnall out of the World Championship[/caption]
Trailing 4-3 in extra time of the deciding set, Chizzy took out a blistering 131 checkout – the only issue being he needed 139.
Chisnall returned to take the leg on double one, but with the final set 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 but his 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, Evans put paid to Chizzy’s World Championship hopes and sent another seed crashing out of the tournament.
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.
The seeds have tumbled on a daily basis in north London, Gary Anderson and Michael Smith the headline names in a tournament that has now lost 13 of the world’s top 32 players before the third round stage.
Chizzy became the second highest player to perish, following second seed Smith in being booted out before 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.
Crashing out
13 of the 32 seeds have crashed out of the World Darts Championship
(2) Michael Smith
(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.