James Wade became the latest high-profile player to be knocked out of the PDC World Darts Championship after losing 4-3 to Ryan Joyce.
The ninth seed had led 3-2 but, despite missing a total of 10 darts to take the match, it was the world number 78 who eventually hit the double four to set up a quarter-final meeting with Michael Van Gerwen.
Wade was given a mixed welcome onto the stage at the Alexandra Palace after his controversial post-match comments – which he later apologised for – that he “wanted to really hurt” Japanese opponent Seigo Asada earlier in the tournament.
JAMES WADE IS OUT | Relentless Ryan Joyce battles through a 7-set barnstormer to progress into the quarterfinals of the William Hill World Darts Championships! #WHdarts pic.twitter.com/ibNN1Zdq8C — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 28, 2018
That appeared to put him on the back foot early on as he lost the first set but he responded in fine style to pick up the next two.
The duo traded blows but when Wade failed to check out from 106, it gave Joyce the chance to put his marker down and eventually seal the game after it looked as though he may have missed his chance.
DOLAN IS INTO THE QUARTERFINALS | He defeats Benito van de Pas 4-1 to set up a tie with Nathan Aspinall #WHdarts pic.twitter.com/QugQVZV584 — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 28, 2018
Benito van de Pas was another seed to bow out, the number 30 soundly beaten by Brendan Dolan.
The Irishman was superior in every aspect of the game as he finished with an average of 89.77 to coast into the last eight, while while Nathan Aspinall’s remarkable run continued with a 4-3 win over Devon Petersen.
