By Gareth James
Jonny Clayton is the first Welshman into the last 32 of the William Hill World Darts Championship.
The Pontyberem thrower fended off a comeback from John Henderson to win their second round match 3-1 at London’s Alexandra Palace.
And a bullish Clayton believes he can go all the way and claim the biggest title in darts.
“This is the first World Championship I’ve played in where I feel I can win it,” said the 46-year-old, who won the World Cup of Darts with Gerwyn Price earlier this year.
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Jonny Clayton wasn't at his brilliant best but a 140 finish was the catalyst in fighting off a Henderson comeback and he comes out the 3-1 winner! pic.twitter.com/YPMSxac5wG
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 20, 2020
“I am here to do a job.
“I won the World Cup. It’s a World Champion in a way.
“Come January 1st hopefully I will have another trophy with a world champion on it.
“I am so proud of that, being Welsh, with a big heart.”
Clayton cruised into a two nil lead in the best of five sets match.
Henderson hit back to win the third set and take the opening two legs of the fourth set.
But just when it looked to be going to a final set decider, Clayton responded winning three legs in a row.
Clayton, who had a first round bye as 17th seed, was helped by a 140 checkout as he claimed victory.
“I went two-nil up in sets and thought, ‘this is my day’ but John took the third set. I think it was 3-0.
“I was thinking ‘please John, don’t start playing now, just let me win.
“I really had to dig that fourth set. I was looking for something and I found it, no matter how deep I had to dig it.
“When I got that 140, that’s a massive confidence boost for me and John must behind me must be thinking ‘you jammy get’.”