Lewis survives Eccles battle

Adrian Lewis survived a titanic battle with Tony Eccles to reach the quarter-finals of the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Darts Championship.

Eccles came from three sets down to defeat Steve Maish on Thursday, but was on the receiving of a comeback as Lewis came from 2-0 down in sets and 2-0 in legs to take a 4-3 win in the decider.

He will now take on either defending champion Raymond van Barneveld or Kevin Painter.

“I believe I can win this tournament but I’ll have to perform better,” admitted Lewis.

“I believe in myself and even if Tony had gone 3-0 up, I knew he had come back yesterday and I could.”

James Wade overcame a bout of ’flu and the challenge of Mark Dudbridge to progress to the last eight.

Both players were struggling with illness before, and during the match, but number three seed Wade managed to come through 4-2 to reach his first World Championship quarter-final.

In the day’s opening match, Kirk Shepherd continued his superb debut run by beating world number 13 Barrie Bates 4-3.

The 21-year-old had already defeated Terry Jenkins and Mick McGowan in the event, and again took advantage of his opponent’s mistakes at Alexandra Palace.