CHRIS MASON 3-1 STEVE HINE
(2-3, 3-1, 3-1, 3-2)
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CHRIS MASON came from a set down to defeat Steve Hine and progress to the last 32 of the Ladbrokes.com World Championship.
Hine has enjoyed his breakthrough year in 2005, and set himself on course for an upset by winning the opening set.
Mason hit back, winning the second 3-1 - finally landing double eight with his sixth dart to take the set.
Hine took the opening leg of the third set, but Mason hit his straps with three successive legs, including a 116 finish to move 2-1 up in the game.
He then won the next set 3-2, with a 12-darter in the third leg hitting Hine hard before he finished on 97 to seal a second round berth.
"It was a game about who was going to make the fewer errors," said Mason. "Fortunately, all my hard work and preparation paid dividends.
"The odds which were quoted before the game were ridiculous, Steve was never 9/1 - I've never beaten him, he's a fantastic player and inexperience cost him in the end.
"That display won't win me the title but I had more to lose in that game than against John Part in round two.
"John's a fantastic player but if I lose to him I won't feel too bad because he's a two-time World Champion and someone who I regard as one of the best players in the world for the past ten years.
"That takes the pressure off because the expectancy is gone and the feeling when you lose isn't as painful and you play with a lot more freedom."
Mason arrived in the UK a month before the tournament, but admitted to having nerves ahead of the game.
"It was horrendous," he said. "I was in bits, I was so nervous.
"I think I've prepared properly, but you look at people like Colin Lloyd, who is a consummate professional, he has prepared right and he still got beaten.
"I've never prepared for any tournament like I have for this and to think that I was going to lose was terrible.
"I know sport's not fair, but if I put everything into it I expect something back."
Match Stats
|
Chris Mason |
3-1 |
Steve Hine |
|
23 |
100+ |
21 |
|
9 |
140+ |
11 |
|
4 |
180 |
2 |
|
30.44 |
Ave1 |
28.58 |
|
91.32 |
Ave3 |
85.74 |