Shropshire Star

'Jackpot' for David Pallett v Adrian Lewis

Newport's David Pallett reckons Adrian Lewis will be the one running scared when they meet for his PDC World Championship debut.

Published

The Shropshire darter takes on the World No 3 at the Alexandra Palace in London after the tournament starts on December 18,

writes Craig Birch.

The schedule of play will be released later this week after yesterday's draw was made on Sky Sports, who are launching a new darts channel to televise the 17-day long event.

On paper, Lewis is up there with the toughest draws the 24-year-old, unseeded after qualifying 55th in the Order of Merit, could have had.

But ambitious Pallett is even slightly disappointed he didn't land either of the top two, Phil Taylor or defending title holder Michael van Gerwen.

'Jackpot' Lewis has taken the PDC's top crown twice, but has struggled before in the early stages against unheralded competition since becoming a world champion.

Nigel Heydon fluffed a 2-0 lead against him in the first round of the 2012 competition, before Lewis fought back and went on to win the whole event.

Pallett has lost 6-4 to him three times on the untelevised 'floor' circuit before, but fancies his chances more in a first-to-three sets format.

He said: "Adrian Lewis is one of the best players in the world, so I will be playing him in an evening session with all of the cameras and focus on him.

"I had set my heart on playing Taylor at a World Championship, or van Gerwen, but this is the next best thing. It will boost my profile.

"I think he will be more scared of me than I am of him, to be honest. I have nothing to lose and that takes the pressure off.

"I have to fly out of the traps, maybe take the first set and don't bottle it from there, as people have done against him in the past.

"I am really looking forward to it, I am happy with the draw and my trip down to London can't come quick enough now. I have waited a long time for this."

If he can pull off the shock of shocks against Lewis, another two-time world champion in John Part or young prodigy Keegan Brown will await Pallett in the second round.

He said: "Lewis is a tough test, but it could really open up for me I can get through. I would be confident of facing either John or Keegan."

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