Daryl Gurney booked his place in the second round of the Unibet World Grand Prix with a 2-1 win over fourth seed Adrian Lewis.
The Northern Irishman, who reached the quarter-finals in Dublin twelve months ago, is closing in on the top 10 on the PDC Order of Merit for the first time.
But after seeing off the two-time world champion in a deciding set, the world number 12 could not be blamed for having his eyes on a maiden TV title, and he believes he has the game to win one.
“I knew if I could play my best game I could beat Adrian,” said Gurney. “I try my best in every game and I know I can win a TV tournament – if I switch it on this week then I know I can beat anybody, and so does everyone else.”
Gurney breezed through the opening set against Lewis 3-0, with the help of a 132 checkout, via two bullseyes and double 16, in leg two, before Lewis, a finalist in the World Grand Prix back in 2010, clinched the second set in a deciding leg, taking out 77 to level the match.
Lewis would have no answer for Gurney in the third set though, as the US Darts Masters runner-up reeled off three straight legs to secure his place in the last 16 and a clash with Joe Cullen on Tuesday.
“Joe Cullen firmly believes he’s going to beat me in the next game because he’s got a very good record against me,” Gurney said, “but he hasn’t played me on TV yet, where I’m a better player.”
Match Statistics: Adrian Lewis (87.49), 100+ 17, 140+ 5, 180s 3, Highest checkout 124, 100+ checkouts 1, Checkouts 3/13 (23.08%). Daryl Gurney (90.09), 100+ 13, 140+ 7, 180s 5, Highest checkout 132, 100+ checkouts 1, Checkouts 8/29 (27.59%).
Picture: Lawrence Lustig/PDC
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