Joe Cullen continued his bid to lift his first Cazoo World Darts Championship title on a phenomenal day of third-round action on Wednesday.
The Masters champion produced a demolition job against World Cup winner Damon Heta – closing out a 4-0 win to equal his best showing at the PDC World Championship.
Cullen produced superb 177 and 180 set-up shots to win the opening two sets, and after converting a clinical 108 combination to wrap up set three, he followed up a two-dart 97 kill with an 11-darter to cap off a classy display.
“I thought I played the big legs really, really well,” said Cullen, who also defeated Heta at the World Matchplay and the World Grand Prix earlier this year.
“I’ve gained a lot more experience, particularly in the big legs. I don’t think it was a 4-0 game, but I think I was a worthy winner regardless of the scoreline.
“Damon put on a great performance against Adrian [Lewis in round two] and he’s a fantastic player, but I felt confident going into tonight’s game given my record against him.”
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
Grab your copy of Darts World 581 here while stock lasts:
Images: Featured – Darts World.
The Darts World 50 will be available to order (Here) from November 15th 2022 with release and delivery expected in early December
Also Available Free: Darts World Extra 6
Darts World Magazine (Issue 580) and fantastic value bundle offers:
Subscribe or purchase your copy
