'Rapid' Ricky Evans puts fans through tie-break agony before beating seventh seed Wade

Kettering-born hero Evans once again showed tantalising hints of his world-class best, beginning the final set by taking out a clutch 144 and bested his opponent 8-3 in the maximums count.

But Evans also frustrated his fans by missing seven match darts and wilted badly in the fourth set in which he could have closed out the match by simply holding throw.

But it’s this box office drama that continues to win Evans fans across the world, and by beating seven seed and UK open runner-up Wade, ‘Rapid’ has now carved a path in the draw that could potentially see the 35-year-old progress into the latter stages of the tournament.

Evans took the first set confident fashion, winning the second leg with a crisp 128 finish and pounced on a Wade mistake in the fifth leg by taking out 41 and ending the set three from three on doubles.

But as Evans looked to overwhelm his opponent, Wade showed his steely class to break the Evans throw early in the second leg and followed that with a 170 check-out – the eighth ‘big-fish’ reeled-in so far at the tournament. Wade closed out the set in the fourth leg finishing with a 98 average.

Evans hit back again in the third in what was the cagiest of the sets from either player. Wade opened with a 107 checkout but then allowed the Kettering thrower back in to eventually take the set and a 2-1 lead, before imploding in the fourth losing in straight legs.

This took the match to a nervy fifth and deciding set.

Evans first 15 darts were error-strewn but was given a chance to take out a classy 144 and win the first leg.

Wade dropped a dart at the worst possible time and was unable to finish the 81 needed, allowing Evans to take a two-leg lead by clearing 89. Wade clawed a leg back, but Evans then had six match darts in the fourth and couldn’t convert.

He had a further opportunity with the score at 3-2 but missed double 16 whilst attempting 112.

It swung in Wade’s favour who at 4-3 had his chance to take the match but missed double five and a relieved Evans levelled yet again.

From there Evans never looked back, pouncing on another missed chance from Wade in the ninth leg before finally ending the match with a maximum followed by a ferocious 99 checkout.

Afterwards a jubilant Evans pointed to the sky in memory of his late sister Elisha before telling Sky Sports: “Imagine coming to the darts and winning 3-0 – what’s the point? Make it interesting!”

“I say it every year that I’m weird, but god I’m box office!”

“I literally thought you’ve had your chance here, Wadey is going to rip you a new ‘un now – oh well, who’s still going?”

“I don’t want to get too emotional – my sister hit that double for me there. Elisha we’re going girl, we’re going!”

Evans can now enjoy his gravy-less turkey over Christmas, before returning for round three against either Charlie Manby or Adam Sevada.