Ricky Evans is through to the third round of World Darts Championship action (Image: PDC)
For the first time since 2021, Ricky Evans will return to the Alexandra Palace after Christmas, having progressed past the opening two rounds of action.
Evans needed all five sets to get the better of Australian Gordon Mathers in the first round, before going all the way once again in a nail-biting contest against sixth seed Dave Chisnall.
So it’s easy to see why the 34-year-old was full of beans when quizzed about his Ally Pally experience last week, stating he wanted to invite the fans supporting him around for Christmas dinner.
He said: “It was relief in a way [beating Chisnall]. You could tell from the last round, it’s a completely different Ricky Evans. I wasn’t sulking, I wasn’t moaning. I was quite concentrated at times, it’s amazing what can happen.
“I need to do this every time, instead of being an idiot, moaning, thinking about what I could’ve done. Just worry about the next leg.”
And on the energy of the crowd, he continued: “Every time they started singing my name, I thought ‘stop it, shut up, start singing his name’, because I kept getting goosebumps.
“I had it in my head, I got a bit emotional. Stop calling my name because I’ll start playing poo now. I don’t understand why they’re calling my name? But more the merrier, keep going…
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Ricky Evans is one of dart’s most vibrant characters (Image: Getty)
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“You’re welcome to come the Evans household, we can sing Feliz Navidad and watch Gavin and Stacey together.”
Evans, who has already reached a TV semi-final this year, now has a strong chance to go and leave his mark on the Worlds, given a whopping 14 seeded players have already been dumped out.
Rapid Ricky clearly doesn’t lack any confidence, having claimed he’s among the best players in the world earlier in the tournament.
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Commenting after his first victory, he said: “On the mental side of the game, on pure ability, I’m definitely in the top 16. There aren’t 16 players in the world better than me, but there is when it’s on stage.
“They’re more professional with what they do away from darts as well. But, if I play my best darts, I am definitely up there. One million per cent.
“But I’ve got to prove that, the more I lose first rounds it’s not happening. I still believe I’m going to win the Worlds one day.”