PDC World Darts Championship day 2 report: Michael van Gerwen survives scare to beat Rene Eidams

The tournament favourite was taken to a tie-break after an amazing comeback from the German qualifier

Michael van Gerwen congratulates Rene Eidams after pushing him close in the first round (Getty Images)

Number one seed Michael van Gerwen withstood a thrilling comeback from German qualifier Rene Eidams to book his spot in the second round of the World Championship at Alexandra Palace.

The 2014 champion and the favourite for this year's crown appeared set for an easy night in winning the first six legs to take a two-set lead, but Eidams threw caution to the wind and sensationally levelled matters to the delight of the raucous crowd.

Van Gerwen was visibly rattled, with one of the biggest upsets the sport has ever witnessed beckoning, but the Dutchman regained his composure to edge the tie-breaker in the deciding set and complete a 3-2 win.

Eidams had averaged 69.25 in beating Thailand's Thanawat Gaweenuntawong in a lacklustre qualifier earlier on Friday evening and seemed to have no hope against Van Gerwen, who clinched the first set with a 116 checkout before bettering that with a 127 finish to wrap up the second.

Up until that point Eidams had not even managed a shot at a double but a 122 checkout at the beginning of the third set was the catalyst for an amazing comeback, taking out 103 to halve the deficit.

Eidams was matching Van Gerwen, whose levels had not dipped significantly, blow for blow and took the match to a decider, where even then the underdog split the first four legs.

But Van Gerwen stole a march on his throw before, much to his relief, completing victory with a 90 checkout.

Van Gerwen told Sky Sports 1: "I slipped away for one or two legs and then he was playing well, he didn't play bad after that, he had a couple of good finishes. I never should be in that position, never ever.

"How did I get in that position from 2-0 up? It's a good lesson for me for the next round.

"Always when you're the massive favourite you concentrate in the beginning but then it slips and little bit less concentration. I didn't play a lot worse after that but I had two legs with very poor moments and that gave him confidence and I never should do that."

While Van Gerwen overcame a stiff test of his credentials, number 12 seed Kim Huybrechts was the first major casualty after a 3-2 defeat to David Pallett.

Eighteenth seed Brendan Dolan tumbled out after a 3-0 loss to Kyle Anderson, but there was better luck for two-time semi-finalist Mark Webster, who defeated Mick McGowan by the same scoreline.

Christian Kist eased to a 3-0 victory over Justin Pipe while Darren Webster beat John Henderson 3-1 to set up a second-round clash with Van Gerwen.

Results

Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm)
1x Preliminary Round, 3x First Round

Qiang Sun 0-2 Mick McGowan
John Henderson 1-3 Darren Webster
Justin Pipe 0-3 Christian Kist
Mark Webster 3-0 Mick McGowan

Evening Session (7pm-11pm)
​1x Preliminary Round, 3x First Round

Thanawat Gaweenuntawong 0-2 Rene Eidams
Brendan Dolan 0-3 Kyle Anderson
Kim Huybrechts 2-3 David Pallett
Michael van Gerwen 3-2 Rene Eidams

PA