Mervyn King ends long wait for World Darts Championship quarter-final place
The 55-year-old beat Raymond Smith 4-3.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Veteran Mervyn King turned back the clock to reach the quarter-finals of the William Hill World Darts Championship
King made the last eight for the first time at Alexandra Palace since reaching the semi-finals in 2009 with a 4-3 comeback victory over Raymond Smith.
The 55-year-old Englishman fought back from 2-0 and 3-1 down before seizing the advantage in the final set with a spectacular 124 checkout on the bullseye.
Australian Smith missed four darts at double top in the next leg and King capitalised to complete a final-set whitewash.
“I could feel the atmosphere building and building as I made my comeback,” King told Sky Sports.
“It was nice to be able to dig in and take advantage of it.
“I’ve got the game to make the final. It just depends if my proper game turns up.”
Luke Humphries reached his third quarter-final in four years with a 4-3 victory over Chris Dobey
Humphries had received a bye into the last 16 when Dave Chisnall tested positive for coronavirus.
Dobey soared into a 3-1 lead but Humphries turned the tide, with three ton-plus checkouts proving decisive.
“I got human at the end, my nerves kicked in,” said Humphries, who scored 177 to leave tops before missing match darts and finally finishing the job on double one.
“At the end my hand was shaking, my heart was going mad. Nerves got the better of me.
“It’s time for me to kick on now. The last two-quarter finals I was very new to the tour.
“But I’ve got more knowledge and experience now to go into the next game with more ambition to go further.”
Callan Rydz secured a quarter-final spot with a 4-1 victory over Alan Soutar.
Rydz recovered from losing his first set of the tournament to breeze into the last eight for the first time.