The pair continued their bid for a first Cazoo World Darts Championship title with on a remarkable day of third round action on Wednesday.
Chris Dobey condemned his former mentor Gary Anderson to his earliest defeat at the World Championship since 2014, reeling off four straight sets to complete a resounding 4-1 success over the two-time Ally Pally winner.
Anderson made a blistering start, firing in back-to-back 12-darters to clinch the opening set with a 116 average, only for Dobey to level after the Scot squandered three darts to double his lead.
Dobey – who was beaten by Anderson in a World Championship classic back in 2018 – held his nerve to win three consecutive sets in deciding legs to move to the cusp of glory, and legs of 12, 16 and 15 darts in set five sealed the deal.
“It means a lot. Gary is a legend of the game,” reflected Dobey, who will now jump above Anderson on the Order of Merit following this year’s tournament.
“Obviously playing Gary a few years ago here, that was still on my mind, and I wanted that revenge on him.
“I’ve been working really hard on my finishing lately and every chance he gave me I took, so I’m delighted to get that big win.”
Meanwhile, in the day’s opener, Jose de Sousa produced another spirited fightback to reach the last 16 for the first time, recovering from 3-0 down to dump out Ryan Searle in a dramatic seven-set battle.
De Sousa – who fought back from 2-0 down against Simon Whitlock in round two – displayed further brinkmanship to secure a place in round four, despite missing 43 darts at double.
Searle punished the Portuguese star’s profligacy to establish a commanding cushion, but he was left to rue missing one match dart at tops for a 4-1 victory, as De Sousa battled back from the brink to set up a showdown against top seed Gerwyn Price.
Thursday’s action will see the remaining third round ties take place, with 2018 World Champion Rob Cross and fifth seed Luke Humphries among the names in action.
World number one Price then kicks off the last 16 action against De Sousa on Thursday evening, before Jonny Clayton and World Youth Champion Josh Rock lock horns for a place in the quarter-finals.
2022/23 Cazoo World Darts Championship
Wednesday December 28
Afternoon Session
3x Third Round
Jose de Sousa 4-3 Ryan Searle (1-3, 2-3, 1-3, 3-2, 3-2, 3-1, 3-1)
Alan Soutar 4-2 Danny Noppert (1-3, 0-3, 3-1, 3-0, 3-1, 3-0)
Chris Dobey 4-1 Gary Anderson (0-3, 3-2, 3-2, 3-2, 3-1)
Evening Session
3x Third Round
Joe Cullen 4-0 Damon Heta (3-2, 3-1, 3-2, 3-0)
Michael van Gerwen 4-2 Mensur Suljovic (3-2, 3-2, 1-3, 3-2, 2-3, 3-1)
Michael Smith 4-3 Martin Schindler (2-3, 3-0, 2-3, 1-3, 3-2, 3-1, 3-1)
Thursday December 29
Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)
3x Third Round
Dirk van Duijvenbode v Ross Smith
Rob Cross v Mervyn King
Dave Chisnall v Stephen Bunting
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
1x Third Round, 2x Fourth Round
Luke Humphries v Vincent van der Voort (R3)
Gerwyn Price v Jose de Sousa (R4)
Jonny Clayton v Josh Rock (R4)
Friday December 30
Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)
3x Fourth Round
Kim Huybrechts v Dimitri Van den Bergh
Gabriel Clemens v Alan Soutar
Michael Smith v Joe Cullen
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
3x Fourth Round
Rob Cross/Mervyn King v Chris Dobey
Michael van Gerwen v Dirk van Duijvenbode/Ross Smith
Luke Humphries/Vincent van der Voort v Dave Chisnall/Stephen Bunting
—–ENDS—–
Images: Simon O’Connor / PDC
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