By Paul Jones
Jim Williams has labelled his victory over James Wade at the PDC World Darts Championship as the biggest win of his career.
Welshman Williams caused the biggest shock of the tournament so far by dumping out the No.8 seed Wade, 3-2.
Williams, ranked 77th in the order of merit, put in the performance of his life to oust Wade in a decider where he came up with some clutch darts, throwing three 180s and averaging 98.48.
The 38-year-old from Cardiff admitted it was the best win of his career, even though he did not play to his best.
“It’s one of the biggest wins of my career,” admitted Williams, who won his maiden PDC title at a Players Championship event back in March.
“It was a tough game. I think it was tough for James as well, it’s his first game and he’s a fantastic player. I think I tried a bit too hard, but I dragged it out of myself at the end.
JAMES WADE IS OUT! 🚨
Look at what it means to Jim Williams 💚 pic.twitter.com/kM4yEdBtEf
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) December 22, 2022
“I felt like I struggled, I am just in and out, my mindset is in and out, I just need to focus all the time if I can.
“It was a tough game, it was tough for James as well. I was surprised by his scoring, he scored nowhere near like he could. I just dragged it out in the end.
“I have got a few days now to really have a practice and get my head into it.”
Wade made an assured start, winning the opening set with a flawless display of finishing and kicking off set two with a 107 combination, only for Williams to reply with six straight legs to storm into a 2-1 lead.
Wade – a four-time semi-finalist in the sport’s showpiece event – responded by completing a clean sweep in set four, taking out an 84 kill to level the tie as the pendulum continued to shift.
Williams was undeterred however, following up a clutch 66 finish with a 13-dart hold to 2-1 ahead in set five, and a fourth 180 propelled the Welshman to a landmark victory.
Two-time champion Gary Anderson gave himself the perfect birthday present by booking his spot in the third round.
🗣 “It’s the biggest win of my career.”
Jim Williams reacts after breaking new ground at Alexandra Palace, dumping out eighth seed James Wade to reach round three… pic.twitter.com/jjGZOwd9IG
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 22, 2022
The Scot, who won in consecutive years in 2015 and 2016, has lost his place at the top table of darts in recent times but enjoyed a celebratory tonic with a 3-1 win over Madars Razma.
It was by no means a vintage performance by the 52-year-old, with Razma offering stiff competition which included a memorable 154-checkout, but he got the job done, with three ton-plus checkouts of his own.
Despite his success, Anderson does not expect to challenge for a third title this year, but is enjoying being back at Alexandra Palace.
“I don’t know about this year, my game is nowhere near where it should be,” Anderson said.
“We keep trying, I am practising a heck of a lot more. I have got it in my head to start again next year from scartch and just get myself away from the house and start throwing again.”
Fifth seed Luke Humphries won another tight battle as he emerged a 3-2 victor over German Florian Hempel while Vincent van der Voort swept Cameron Menzies aside 3-0.
In the afternoon session, Dirk van Duivenbode came through a final-set nail-biter against Karel Sedlak.
The Dutchman, seeded 14, had to battle from 2-1 down to win 3-2, winning the deciding set 4-2.