Clayton outlasts Zonneveld to reach fourth round

Jonny Clayton, the fifth seed, needed a decisive set to defeat world number 44 Niels Zonneveld to advance to the PDC World Championship’s last 16.

After taking a 12-day break, Welshman Clayton, 51, resumed his action after receiving a bye through round three for failing a drug test against his second-round opponent Dom Taylor.

The Dutch left-hander kept responding in an impressive display throughout the first six sets of a high-quality match, with Clayton moving a set in front of Zonneveld on three separate occasions.

Before winning, the former Premier League champion did the crucial break of throw in the decisive set’s second leg, though.

Clayton hit 11 180s to Zonneveld’s seven, while the other player averaged more than 98.

In the first two rounds, 19 of the 32 seeds were eliminated, and Clayton told Sky Sports, “I don’t watch the games, but I follow the results and it’s a chance to go far in the tournament.”

I look and think, “There’s another one gone,” and that gives me hope that I can do it, I’m not going to lie. Every time I step on this stage, I’m excited and feeling good.

The 25th seed, Luke Woodhouse, defeated fellow Englishman Andrew Gilding 4-1 to advance to the fourth round for the second year in a row.

In a deciding set, Woodhouse will face Polish ace Krzysztof Ratajski, who defeated Dutchman Wesley Plaisier.

Ratajski had a 3-1 lead before winning the fifth set with three ton-plus finishes, surviving three match darts in the sixth, and sealing victory with a 116 checkout.

The Saturday evening session, which starts at 19:00 GMT, features reigning world champion Luke Littler and defending champion Luke Littler.

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