James Wade has become the first seeded player to be eliminated from the PDC World Darts Championship, suffering a 3-2 loss to Matt Campbell in the second round on Tuesday.
The world number 13, who has previously lost four semi-finals at the tournament, has now suffered back-to-back second-round exits after going down to Jim Williams at last year’s competition.
The darts went with the throw as the players traded sets at the start of a competitive contest, but an error from Wade allowed Campbell to break the throw for a 2-1 lead in the third.
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Wade hit back to take that set, aided by a terrific 132 finish, but Campbell refused to go away quietly and dominated the fourth by taking three legs in a row.
The momentum back with him, Campbell then started the decider on top, winning the first two legs before missing his first chance to secure the upset as Wade fought back to make it 2-2.
However, the Canadian was not to be denied as Wade failed to make a 56 checkout, Campbell clinching victory on double 18 to continue his best-ever run at the tournament.
He progresses to the last 32, where he will face one of Andrew Gilding, Christian Kist or Luke Littler, while Wade’s wait for a world title goes on after his latest surprise defeat at Alexandra Palace.
🗣️ “It’s amazing. I can’t describe it.”
Matt Campbell is almost lost for words after claiming the scalp of James Wade at the Paddy Power World Darts Championship… pic.twitter.com/kj5I1ahOiO
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 19, 2023
