Gerwyn Price was taken to a deciding set before winning a thrilling all-Wales battle with Jamie Lewis at the World Darts Championship.
The Markham darter triumphed 3-2 over Carmarthen’s Lewis in their second round clash at London’s Alexandra Palace.
But Price admitted he was missing the crowds as he booked his spot in the last 32 joining fellow Welshman Jonny Clayton.
“I just couldn’t get going. It doesn’t matter how someone’s played in the past, I knew they would play that little bit better against me,” said Price.
“Jamie didn’t play brilliant but he played better than he has. I was thinking about that and that’s where I went wrong.
“It’s different without the crowd. I know they get on my back a lot, but it gives me that energy and gets me going.
“Sometimes when you can’t get going you need that crowd to push you on a little bit.”
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Lewis, who reached the semi-finals in 2018 but took time off the PDC Tour this year to deal with anxiety issues, took the opening set.
No 3 seed Price responded by taking the next two sets to move 2-1 ahead on his first appearance this year having been given a first round bye.
But Lewis responded by reeling off three successive legs to win the fourth set and set-up the decider.
Price, nicknamed ‘The Iceman’ kept his cool to punish any error to win the decider 3-0.
The 35-year-old had four 100+ check-outs – including a 160 – at crucial times to live-up to his seeding.
Lewis, though, can take heart from his display after what has been a difficult year.
“I was struggling badly and had been for some time,” admitted 29-year-old Lewis before his match with Price.
“There was a European Tour event recently where I averaged less than 60. It was terrible and people were laughing at me. I was reading messages on social media of people mocking me, but people didn’t realise I was going through a tough time mentally.
“Thankfully, representatives of the PDPA realised that there was something wrong and put an arm around me and offered me support.
“When I got home, I had a good chat with the PDPA and they referred me to Sporting Chance who arranged for me to see someone about anxiety issues.
“It’s really helped and I felt strong enough mentally to go the qualifier. I managed to not put too much pressure on myself, played okay and ending up winning through.
Lewis, who came from two sets down to beat Luke Woodhouse 3-2 in the first round, added: “It meant a lot to me to win my first game.
“I think I’ve proved a lot to myself and others. It was kind of symbolic of the year I have had.
“I thought about taking a break but I’ve never really thought about walking away totally because I know what I can do even when I’m not doing it. I know I just need to get my mind right and the rest will follow.
“I’m so grateful for the support I have had and for being back on the right track now.
“My advice to anyone struggling with anxiety or any mental health issue would be to talk about it and get the professional help that is available.