John Henderson is hungry for more darting success in the PDC world champion- ship after his stunning victory against world number seven Dave Chisnall in London on Sunday.
The Huntly player returned home yesterday in jubilant mood after the most high-profile win of his career against Englishman Chisnall.
Henderson will return to Alexandra Palace on Friday to prepare for his second-round match against either Mark Webster or Mensur Suljovic, who meet on Thursday.
He said: “It was great to get my first win on this fantastic stage and I’m glad to have come through a very hard tie.
“I don’t know too much about Mensur but Mark is a very good friend of mine and I love him to bits. He’s found a bit of form after the grand slam but whoever I play I know it will be a tough match.”
Chisnall is the biggest casualty so far in the tournament. He lost 3-2 to Henderson in a fifth-set tiebreak, despite hitting 11 180s in a seesaw contest.
Henderson took out 122 on the bull to win the deciding leg of a tight first set before taking the second without reply – including a showpiece 132 finish of bullseye, bullseye and double 16 – to move 2-0 up.
He also led 2-1 in the third set as he closed in on victory, only for Chis- nall to level the set and take out 121 in the decider to hit back before soaring through the fourth set 3-0 to square the contest.
Chisnall’s charge continued as he moved to the brink of victory at 2-1 in the fifth set only to miss a total of four match darts in two legs as Henderson hit back to win the deciding set 5-3 and claim his first Alexandra Palace win.
Henderson admitted to an overwhelming feeling of relief at having survived Chisnall’s fightback. He said: “It was so hard going up 2-0. I was thinking ‘this isn’t the Dave Chisnall I know’ as he was giving me chances. I knew he was going to come back and I didn’t handle it.
“I really had to focus for the fifth set and I don’t think I’ve played in a final set like that before in my life.
“I feel for Chissy as there is a lot of pressure on him as he is trying to make the Premier League. After my first year in the PDC I felt as though I was chasing things. Anyone who can play up there will tell you it’s amazing. It’s the best feeling in the world.”