Ricky Evans lit up the stage with a typically unforgettable interview after edging past James Wade in a dramatic clash at the PDC World Darts Championship.
Evans and Wade served up a thriller on Monday afternoon at Alexandra Palace, with both men squandering big chances on the doubles as the match swung back and forth. In the end, it was ‘Rapid’ Evans who held his nerve to seal a gripping 3–2 victory.
The win sets up a third-round meeting for Evans against either Charlie Manby or American Adam Sevada after the Christmas break.
There was controversy during the contest when one of Evans’ throws was ruled illegal after being deemed an “underarm throw”, but the incident did little to derail him as he eventually closed out the match in style.
Speaking to Michael Bridge afterwards, Evans was in full flow as he delivered an animated post-match interview.
“Imagine coming to the darts and winning 3–0 — what is the point?” Evans laughed. “Make it interesting! What’s the point of playing boring? I say every year I’m weird, but I’m box office!
“I honestly thought, ‘You’ve had your chance, Wadey’s going to do it now.’ But I’m still in! Come on! My sister hit that double for me — we’re going there, girl!”
Evans also hinted that a change of walk-on music could be coming next, having embraced festive tunes during his run so far.
“I’ve been walking on to Christmas songs, but now I’m back after Christmas I’ll have to think of something else,” he added.
Reacting to the match on Sky Sports, former world champion Glen Durrant was full of praise for both players.
“Evans is an emotional man, but what a game that was,” Durrant said. “Huge respect to Wade — he never knows when he’s beaten. And what a finish from Evans under those circumstances.”
Earlier in the day, Ally Pally favourite David Munyua saw his run end with a 3–0 defeat to Kevin Doets, while Gabriel Clemens cruised past rising star Wessel Nijman by the same scoreline.
Scotland’s Darren Beveridge was beaten 3–1 by Latvia’s Madars Razma.
The evening session sees world No.2 Luke Humphries continue his bid for a second world title against the legendary Paul Lim. Elsewhere, Gian van Veen faces Alan Soutar, while Nathan Aspinall takes on Leonard Gates.
The night concludes with Manby going head-to-head with Sevada for a place in the next round.
