Rock-solid Stone rolls into Last 16 clash with Lim as rampant Rietbergen shocks O’Sullivan

Gary Stone he took out Dennis Nilsson when the rock-solid Scot overtook the Swedish strongman and reached the last 16 at WDF 2024 Lake Lakeside World Championships.

Stone defeated Nilsson 3-2 in sets and will now face him Paul Lim for a place in the quarterfinals. Stone, always excellent in terms of scoring, has yet to do so in the main event, but he may do so this week.

He started the set by scoring 93 points and breaking Nilsson’s throw in the deciding match. Nilsson equalized after a tight fight that could easily have ended 2-0 to Stone. He missed in five sets, and Nilsson scored a double 14 in the decisive part of the set.

Nilsson began to pull away, winning six legs in the rotation, finding double 20 and taking the lead for the first time. But Stone stayed alive. He hit a three-leg set and the fourth set ended in a zero. Nilsson pinned a 66 and the 15-darter took the lead. Stone, however, had a grueling rematch in which both missed the doubles series and the score was 1-1.

But it spurred him on as Stone took a break and then held on to the shot, scoring a run and taking another miss from Nilsson.

Although Stone did what was expected. The same cannot be said Rhian O’Sullivan which was shocked by the young Dutchwoman Lerena Rietbergen.

An unknown quantity on debut, but has really only shown an improved performance from Beau Greaves so far to unseat one of the title favorites. And also the third seed and former finalist. She opens the bottom half of the game and won easily in straight sets.

The highlight was 118 points en route to victory, which was one of the least expected in both draws so far.