Derry's Daryl Gurney saw off the challenge of Willie O'Connor to progress to the third round of the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace in London.
The former Grand Prix champion had to survive a comeback from Limerick's O'Connor, who had beaten Niels Zonneveld yesterday, to claim his 3-2 win and book a date with England's Chris Dobey after Christmas.
Gurney opened up a quick-fire 2-0 lead, dropping just a solitary leg, which included a 121 outshot.
With the third set tied at 2-2, Gurney missed four match darts with O'Connor even putting away his arrows before returning to finish off the leg and prolong the game.
That swung the momentum towards the Cappamore man and he took out 122 as he won the fourth set 3-1.
Throwing against the darts in the final set, Gurney immediately broke the Magpie and his fifth 180 helped to establish what proved an unassailable lead, with the world number 11 taking out double 8 to finish the game.
"My scoring has come back," Gurney, who averaged 99.19, told Sky Sports.
"I feel like I haven't played my best in my last couple of TV tournaments. I knew I was going to be in for a tough game. I'm glad to get the win. It's one game at a time."
𝙂𝙐𝙍𝙉𝙀𝙔 𝙒𝙄𝙉𝙎
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 17, 2020
Daryl Gurney averages 99 there as he shows glimpses of recapturing his fantastic form with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over William O'Connor! pic.twitter.com/VD17ao3bZf
There were also first-rounds wins for Madars Razma, Ryan Murray and Edward Shoji Foulkes, who will be Fermanagh man Brendan Dolan's opponent in round two on Tuesday.
There are two Irish players in action on Friday afternoon with Tyrone's Mickey Mansell taking on New Zealander Haupai Puha, while Ciaran Teehan from Cork faces England's Wayne Jones.
In the evening session, Grand Slam champion Jose de Sousa beat Ross Smith 3-1, Jamie Lewis scrapped past Luke Woodhouse, 3-2, Ron Meulenkamp had a 3-1 win over Boris Krcmar, while Ryan Searle survived a valiant effort by American Danny Lauby.
𝙅𝙊𝙎𝙀 𝙒𝙄𝙉𝙎
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 17, 2020
At the fourth attempt, Jose de Sousa finally wins at the World Championship!
'The Special One' comes from 1-0 down to defeat Ross Smith 3-1! pic.twitter.com/jU3wx2DuWe
