SIMON WHITLOCK produced some of the best darts of his career to complete a thrilling victory against Alan Norris as he moved into the quarter-finals of the World Grand Prix.
With the match tied at two sets a piece and Whitlock 2-1 down in the decisive set – and well behind in the leg, ‘The Wizard’ scored a 180 and took out 150 to force a last-leg shoot-out.
Then, he kicked off by landing double 16 before firing in nine more perfect darts to seal a dramatic success.
“I knew I had to do something special in that last leg and I produced it,” said Whitlock, who now meets world number one van Gerwen in Thursday’s quarter-finals.
“Alan played brilliantly to come back and I had to play like I did in that last couple of legs. He started to hit double tops and put pressure on me, but I never gave up at any moment, even when it looked like I was going to lose.
“I’ve dug myself out of a hole a couple of times recently and I’m proud of myself. I’m very confident at the moment and I’m playing great, I’ve just won a tournament so hopefully I can do back-to-back.
“I’m as good as anybody at the moment – I’ve beaten Michael lately and won a tournament at the weekend and I’m playing great, so everybody’s got to look out for me.
“In the last two years I’ve put so much work in and finally now it’s paying off. I’m a lot more relaxed at the moment, I’ve got no pressure on me and no-one’s expecting me to do well except myself, and that’s the way I like it.”
Whitlock looked to be progressing comfortably as he opened up a two set lead but Norris hit back to take it to a fifth set.
And, when it looked like his chance might be slipping away the Australian ace fired in 16 consecutive perfect darts to book his place in a major quarter-final for the first time this year.
WATCH | @SWhitlock180 believes he is back and better than ever.#Unibet180 pic.twitter.com/rOtLaL0K2I
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) October 5, 2016