Jonny Clayton is enjoying his best-ever run at the European Championships as he booked his place in Saturday’s quarter-finals in Germany.
The Pontyberem thrower sealed a 10-6 win over Jose De Sousa who was unable to repeat his first-round heroics when he produced a nine-dart finish.
Clayton will bank a guaranteed £20,000 for reaching the last eight at the event for the first time.
So pleased to win that game this afternoon. Jose is a tough player to beat so makes it feel better.
Thank you for all the continued support @OfficialOLDarts @DJShopDarts @reddragondarts @PRGConstruction @ModusDarts180 🥇👍
— Jonny Clayton (@JonnyClay9) October 30, 2020
And he is not concerned with the tournament being restricted to just a few hundred fans at the Konig-Pilsener Arena in Oberhausen.
“I find difficult with the quiet arenas but I seem to be playing okay so I’m happy,” said Clayton. “I’m really happy to be through.
“I’m into the quarter-finals now so we’ll see what happens. It’s going to be a tough encounter but I’m always confident – hopefully I can relax and show my best game.”
Clayton moved ahead in leg five and would never relinquish the advantage even after the Portuguese thrower reduced the deficit to 6-5.
The 46-year-old produced legs of 13 and 14 darts to edge clear again before setting up a battle with either Michael Smith or Dirk van Duijvenbode who are in action tonight.
World No 2 Gerwyn Price will also be competing against Peter Wright as he looks to make it two Welsh darters into the quarter-finals.