GARY ANDERSON'S sensational nine-dart finish at the BetVictor World Matchplay on Thursday night provoked a huge reaction on social media.
The two-time World Champion landed his third televised nine-darter in the fourth leg of his epic 19-17 win over Joe Cullen in the quarter-finals at the Winter Gardens.
NINE DARTER FROM GARY ANDERSON | Anderson reels in the biggest fish of all to send the Winter Gardens crowd into a frenzy!!#BVDarts #LoveTheDarts pic.twitter.com/n0yhmcnksc
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 26, 2018
The nine-darter was the first since 2014 at the World Matchplay, and the seventh in the prestigious tournament's history.
Pundits, fellow players and fans took to social media to congratulate Anderson on his achievement, which puts him in line for a £45,000 bonus should no other player land a perfect leg in the remainder of the tournament.
Ian White (Anderson's close friend and house-mate in Blackpool this week!) reveals on Twitter that Gary Anderson predicted he would hit a nine-darter against Joe Cullen
Well i dropped gary off tonight to play his game against joe . He said i fancy a nine darter tonight ..think ill get 6 numbers of him tonight ha ha @UnicornDarts @OfficialPDC @DunveganDarts @MaydayHomecare
— Ian White (@IanDiamondWhite) July 26, 2018
The nine-darter was the first featured live on radio, during the talkSPORT2 coverage from the Winter Gardens - listen here
We’ve finally had a 9 Darter on the radio ? @JohnRawling @Chris180Mason #BVDarts #DartsOnTheRadio https://t.co/RVd0SxkO0q pic.twitter.com/L1BMgUW3v8
— talkSPORT 2 (@talkSPORT2) July 26, 2018
Cricketer Alex Hales praised the achievement
How good is Gary Anderson ?? ? #9darter
— Alex Hales (@AlexHales1) July 26, 2018
Former UK Open qualifier Dave Parletti was in awe of Anderson
Gary Anderson is making this game we play look easy.... beautiful Darts to watch!!! #BVWorldMatchPlay #Nine ?
— Dave Parletti (@Parletti180) July 26, 2018
Fans around the world saluted Gary Anderson's brilliant performance
Feel for Joe Cullen but hats off to Gary Anderson. 170 checkout and a 9 darter, absolutely fantastic match! #WorldMatchplay #LoveTheDarts ?
— Andy Darby (@AndyDarby90) July 26, 2018
Happy to witness my first ever televised 9 darter ohh Gary Gary Gary Gary Gary Gary Anderson #GaryAnderson #9darter #lovethedarts @GaryAnderson180
— Tasha Faye McEwen (@TashaMc19) July 26, 2018
Sometimes, all you need is darts. WHAT a nine-darter from Gary Anderson. World Matchplay the best tournament on the circuit after Ally Pally. #BVDarts #LoveTheDarts
— Robert Bartlett (@RobBartlettESPN) July 26, 2018
Gary Anderson hits the nine darter!
— Kleisi (@TheKleisi) July 26, 2018
This whole tournament is maybe the best #WorldMatchplay in History. #PDC #darts #LoveTheDarts #NineDarter
Gary Anderson with the 9 darter in leg 4 of the quarter final vs Joe Cullen with the 141 checkout. Next leg wins it with a 141 check out. The standard tonight is out of this world good.
— Aaron Kirk (@AaronKirk1) July 26, 2018
And finally....feel sorry for this fan, who backed Gary Anderson to hit a nine-darter and a 170 finish, only to see Joe Cullen take out the maximum checkout instead!
This punter is a Gary Anderson 170 checkout away from £1800...
— BetVictor (@BetVictor) July 26, 2018
From a fiver!
What a sweat ? pic.twitter.com/QfOIjef0XY