Jamie Lewis staged a superb comeback to set-up an all-Wales second-round clash at the William Hill World Championships with Gerwyn Price.
The 29-year-old from Carmarthen came from two sets down to beat Luke Woodhouse 3-2 at London’s Alexandra Palace in their first round match on Thursday.
“It’s unreal. I was dead and buried there. I’m 2-0 down, I thought I’m going home now. I just thought you’ve got nothing to lose now so let’s throw and see what happens,” said Lewis.
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“When I won one set I could see him getting worried so I thought you never know now.”
“It’s a tough game next against Gezzy. He is amazing to be fair. But I know if I give my best then I will give him a game so we will see what happens.”
Lewis reached the semi-finals in 2018 but took time out of the PDA tour this year due to anxiety issues.
But ‘Fireball’ Lewis, who booked his place in the showpiece event through a qualifier, ensured a memorable end to the year with his comeback.
“I’ve been struggling with anxiety issues and if there’s one piece of advice I could give it’s to definitely go and see someone about it,” he told BBC Wales Sport before the tournament.
“That’s one thing that 100 per cent has helped me to open up and talk to someone about it.
“It was the PDC that put me in contact (with someone), because I went to a European tour two months ago and I played dreadfully – I had a 57 average or something dreadful, which is totally not how I play.
“They could see there was something wrong and I wasn’t myself, and they contacted me a few days later and put me in touch with (sports mental health clinic) Sporting Chance. They then put me in contact with another person and I’m having sessions now and it’s working for me.
“Big thanks to the PDC and PDPA (Professional Darts Players Association) for helping me get on that track.”
The match with world No 3 Price, who has a first round bye, takes place on Monday.