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PDC World Championship: Keegan Brown upsets three-time champion John Part

Keegan Brown of England in action during his first round match against John Part of Canada during the William Hill PDC World
Image: Keegan Brown of England in action during his first round match against John Part of Canada during the William Hill PDC World

Keegan Brown knocked out three-time world champion John Part in the first round of the PDC World Championship at Alexandra Palace on Thursday.

Brown, the current world youth champion, steamed into a two-set lead in the opening game of the tournament.

Part, who appeared to be using larger stemmed darts, struggled across the board early on and lost the first seven legs to his 22-year-old opponent.

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Keegan Brown defeated three-time world champion John Part

Part, who will now join the Sky Sports Darts commentary team, staged a dramatic comeback to send the game to a deciding set after Brown looked to be crumbling under the bright lights of darts' most famous oche. 

But Brown found his confidence and stormed to victory in his first World Championship appearance in style hitting some decent doubles to earn a 3-2 victory. He'll play either Adrian Lewis or David Pallett in the second round.

Shock

Cristo Reyes provided an upset by overcoming Wes Newton in a tie break.

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The Spanish No 1 Reyes had earlier defeated Christian Perez in a preliminary match and carried that good form into the evening's final match against Newton.

Reyes raced into a great start by taking the first two sets but his victory was far from secured as his more experienced opponent took over.

The Blackpool thrower steadily grew into the match, his experience was telling as Reyes increasingly hesitated on the biggest stage that he has ever competed on.

In the fourth set Reyes was within touching distance of a check out but couldn't get it and Newton immediately punished him by making it two legs apiece. Newton then forced a tie break which increased the drama.

Neither player or the referee seemed to know the rules leading to confusion and a re-start. When they regrouped, Reyes held his nerve to secure a major shock.

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Jelle Klaasen completes a 3-1 victory over compatriot Christian Kist

In the all Dutch battle between two former BDO world champions it was Jelle Klaasen who was victorious over Christian Kist by three sets to one. In a quality match, Klaasen pulled his average up to 111 at one point and Kist, though playing well, couldn't keep up with his compatriot.

Watch the PDC World Championship live on Sky Sports Darts from December 18. For information on how to upgrade to Sky Sports head to www.skysports.com/watch/get-sky 

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