By Alex Moss
8 JANUARY 2017 • 5:21PM
Pip Blackwell produced a stunning comeback to knock out seventh seed Dean Reynolds in the first round of the 2017 BDO World Championship at Lakeside.
The Kent thrower was heading for a third last 32 exit for the third year running as he trailed 2-0 in sets, before surviving a number of match darts against him and winning a tie-break in the deciding set.
Reynolds, who finished top of the PDC Development Tour Order of Merit last year, made a quick start as he took the first set in straight sets.
Blackwell looked on course to level the match up at one set all as he took a 2-0 lead in the second set, but Reynolds reeled off three legs in a row to pinch the set and take a 2-0 set lead.
After checking out 100 to level the third set up at 2-2, Reynolds came to the board with three darts at tops for the match but spurned his chance, handing Blackwell a lifeline.
Blackwell hit tops to force a fourth set, which he won 3-1 with a 101 checkout to take the match into a deciding set.
Reynolds stormed into a 2-0 lead in the final set, before Blackwell fought back and won four legs on the spin to win the set 4-2 on a tie-break and complete a memorable comeback on the Lakeside stage.
Dennis Harbour set up a first round clash with defending champion Scott Waites tomorrow night, after edging past New Zealand’s Craig Caldwell 3-1 in the preliminary round.
Harbour, who reached the quarter-finals at Lakeside last year, took the first two sets 3-2 and 3-1, but then missed match darts to complete a straight sets win.
Caldwell saved the match by taking out 25 in the deciding leg of the third set, before Harbour got over the line by winning the next set 3-1.
Canada’s David Cameron ended his losing record at Lakeside with an impressive 3-1 win over Jimmy Hendriks in the preliminary round.
Cameron had lost in his three previous appearances at Lakeside in the preliminary round, but claimed his first victory by beating the Dutch youngster this afternoon.
Hendriks made a bright start to the contest and a 120 checkout helped him win the first set a 3-1, a set in which he averaged 103.71.
Cameron responded though by winning the next three sets, aided by a 119 checkout as he won nine of the next 14 legs in six visits or fewer.
The Canadian’s reward is a clash with third seed Danny Noppert tomorrow afternoon.
Monday January 9
Afternoon Session (1pm)
David Cameron 3-1 Jimmy Hendriks (P)
Craig Caldwell 1-3 Dennis Harbour (P)
Dean Reynolds (7) 2-3 Pip Blackwell
Click here for the latest results, updated draw and order of play
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