BBC SPORT | WORLD DARTS CHAMPIONSHIP | King survives Mason scare

Top seed Mervyn King needed to produce a great fightback to beat Chris Mason in a thrilling Embassy World Darts Championship first-round encounter.

King was desperately struggling as he trailed 2-0, but he turned things around and came through 3-2 after clinching the final set 4-2.

A distraught Mason had missed three darts at a double to wrap it up.

Mason beat number one seed Raymond Barneveld in his opening game last year, but he was left cursing his luck against Ipswich-based King.

He said: "God was shining down on Mervyn today. They say you can beat skill but you can't beat luck."

If he's the world number one then I'm Mohamed Al Fayed, and I'd tell him that to his face

Chris Mason on Mervyn King

The first four legs of the decider were shared but Mason's finishing, so sharp early on, was letting him down and King completed his recovery by hitting a double 18 to win.

Bristolian Mason added: "Mervyn goes all around the world playing in different events and that's how he's got the number one ranking.

You can't beat luck

"But if he's the world number one then I'm Mohamed Al Fayed, and I'd tell him that to his face.

"God was shining down on Mervyn today. They say you can beat skill but you can't beat luck.

"I won't be putting any money on him to go on and win the title. If he can't beat me easily then he won't be world champion.

Distraught: Chris Mason cursed his luck
"I should have won. I don't feel like I've lost and it hasn't sunk in yet.

"It just wasn't meant to be for me this year. I believe that someone's name is on the pot at the start of the week and it isn't mine. I'll be world champion when I'm good and ready, when it's my time."

King could not put his finger on why he had managed to reverse his fortunes in the third set.

"I don't know how I turned it around," admitted the 34-year-old.

"I just hit a crucial double to make it 2-1 and told myself I wasn't out of it. I took each leg as it came and Chris seemed to drop off a bit.

Good friends

"I was given a chance and I took it. I had a bit of luck but everyone needs that here.

I was given a chance and I took it. I had a bit of luck but everyone needs that here

Mervyn King

"At the end I just shook Chris' hand and walked away. We are good friends and I'll have a chat with him later.

"I don't know if this is my year for the title or not. I like to think every year will be my year but I'll just take each match as it comes.

"You can't say you'll win the tournament at this stage. There are 32 players here and every one is capable of taking the trophy home at the end of the week."

In the second round on Tuesday, King will meet World Masters champion John `Boy' Walton of Sheffield, who saw off Welshman Ritchie Davies 3-1.


	^^ Back to top
	Front Page \| Football \| Cricket \| Rugby Union \| Rugby League \| Tennis \| Golf \| Motorsport \| Boxing \| Athletics \| Other Sports \| Sports Talk \| In Depth \| Photo Galleries \| Audio/Video \| TV & Radio \| BBC Pundits \| Question of Sport \| Funny Old Game ------------------------------------------------------------ BBC News >> \| BBC Weather >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- © MMII\|News Sources\|Privacy