Adrian Lewis was world champion in 2011 and 2012. “Jackpot” was considered the legitimate successor to legend Phil Taylor. It’s been a long time… He is currently ranked 39th in the Order of Merit and has been fighting in vain for years to return to the top of the world.
At the Czech Darts Open in Prague, the 37-year-old showed his qualities at least once again. After beating Ted Evetts 6:3 on Friday, he met tournament favorite Gerwyn Price in the second round and caused a sensation during the match. When the score was 3:3, he threw eight perfect darts and thus narrowly missed his 14th nine-darter. The fact that he then needed ten more arrows to break to 4: 3 just in time was a fitting metaphor for his entire career.
But it was still enough for a break, and the two following rounds also went to the Englishman, so that the first round of 16 on the European Tour in three years was perfect. However, Lewis was then – once again – involved in an ugly altercation.
After the match, he tried to hug Price from behind, who was facing his table. However, the Welshman obviously didn’t feel like being physically close after the defeat, which he made it clear to him.
Price turned and scolded Lewis, the two stood face to face while Lewis gestured his incomprehension. “I don’t know what he had,” he later said, “but he called me fat something.”
The conversation between the two was quickly interrupted by Russ Bray. The muscular caller immediately recognized the explosive nature of the situation and placed himself between the two brawlers. The veteran then dismissed Price from the stage while he was constantly ranting and pointing his index finger at Lewis.
There have been repeated troubles between the two over the past six years, and as with the previous clashes, this duel is likely to continue on social media.
It was only in November that security had to settle a dispute between Lewis and world champion Peter Wright at the Players Championship Finals. Sporty things continue for Lewis on Sunday. In the round of 16 (from 1 p.m. live on DAZN) he meets Vincent van der Voort, who narrowly beat Martin Schindler.
2nd round:
Krzysztof Ratajski (POL) – Ricky Evans (ENG) 0:6
Brendan Dolan (NIR) – Mickey Mansell (NIR) 5:6
Luke Humphries (ENG) – Martin Lukeman (ENG) 6: 1
Rob Cross (ENG) – Jules van Dongen (USA) 6:2
Dimitri Van den Bergh (BEL) – Nathan Aspinall (ENG) 6: 4
Jose de Sousa (POR) – Martijn Kleermaker (NED) 6:2
Daryl Gurney (NIR) – Dave Chisnall (ENG) 5:6
Michael Smith (ENG) – Rowby-John Rodriguez (AUT) 4:6
Damon Heta (AUS) – Adam Gawlas (CZE) 4:6
Martin Schindler (GER) – Vincent van der Voort (NED) 5:6
Dirk van Duijvenbode (NED) – Karel Sedlacek (CZE) 6:3
Jonny Cayton (WAL) – Jose Justicia (ESP) 5:6
Michael van Gerwen (NED) – Vitezslav Sedlak (CZE) 6:2
Gerwyn Price (WAL) – Adrian Lewis (ENG) 3: 6
Joe Cullen (ENG) – Ross Smith (ENG) 4: 6
Ryan Searle (ENG) – Ritchie Edhouse (ENG) 6:0
Round of 16:
Dirk van Duijvenbode (NED) – Rowby-John Rodriguez (AUT)
Jose de Sousa (POR) – Jose Justicia (ESP)
Dimitri Van den Bergh (BEL) – Luke Humphries (ENG)
Michael van Gerwen (NED) – Mickey Mansell
Rob Cross (ENG) – Ricky Evans (ENG)
Dave Chisnall (ENG) – Ross Smith (ENG)
Adam Gawlas (CZE) – Ryan Searle (ENG)
Adrian Lewis (ENG) – Vincent van der Voort (NED)
