Bedlington star Chris Dobey produced a stunning display to dump out 2018 winner Rob Cross and reach the Quarter-Finals of the Cazoo World Championships for the first time.
Cross struck the first blow before Dobey, nicknamed Hollywood, responded in an extraordinary second set, winning three straight legs to level despite the sixth seed averaging almost 119.
Cross restored his cushion in set three, but a spectacular 170 finish from Dobey midway through the fourth shifted the pendulum, and the three-time TV semi-finalist showed his class to close out a landmark win.
“It’s the best win of my career,” said Dobey, who averaged 102 to make it back-to-back wins over World Champions, following his defeat of two-time Ally Pally conqueror Gary Anderson in round three.
“This is the biggest competition in the world and it’s my best performance on the World Championship stage, so to get over that last 16 hurdle is another tick on my list.
“Michael is on top form and he’s going to take some beating, but I beat him last time out at the European Championship, so I’ll be ready.”
The quarter-final action will take place on a blockbuster double session on January 1, with Clayton and Van den Bergh kicking off proceedings, before the all-St Helens tie between Smith and Bunting.
The evening session will then see 2021 World Champion Price play German trailblazer Clemens, before Van Gerwen and Dobey collide for a place in Monday’s last four.
Click here to view match stats & results
2022/23 Cazoo World Darts Championship
Friday December 30
Afternoon Session
3x Fourth Round
Dimitri Van den Bergh 4-0 Kim Huybrechts (3-0, 3-2, 3-1, 3-0)
Gabriel Clemens 4-1 Alan Soutar (3-0, 1-3, 3-0, 3-2, 3-2)
Michael Smith 4-1 Joe Cullen (3-2, 0-3, 3-0, 3-2, 3-2)
Evening Session
3x Fourth Round
Chris Dobey 4-2 Rob Cross (1-3, 3-0, 0-3, 3-2, 3-1, 3-2)
Michael van Gerwen 4-1 Dirk van Duijvenbode (3-1, 3-1, 1-3, 3-2, 3-0)
Stephen Bunting 4-1 Luke Humphries (3-1, 3-0, 1-3, 3-2, 3-0)
Sunday January 1
Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)
2x Quarter-Finals
Dimitri Van den Bergh v Jonny Clayton
Michael Smith v Stephen Bunting
Evening Session (1930 GMT)
2x Quarter-Finals
Gerwyn Price v Gabriel Clemens
Michael van Gerwen v Chris Dobey
Best of nine sets
—–ENDS—–
Images: Kieran Cleeves / PDC
Images: PDC
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