Ted Hankey comeback shocks Simon Whitlock in darts Grand Slam
Ted Hankey made a remarkable comeback from 6-1 down against Simon Whitlock to win through to the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts quarter-finals.
Scott Waites, Robert Thornton and Tony O'Shea joined him in the last eight at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall last night.
Hankey produced one of the most memorable fightbacks in the event's history.
The Telford ace, a two-time Lakeside Champion, had suffered a minor stroke in Wolverhampton 12 months ago and has struggled to get to grips with diabetes since, but confirmed his return to darts' big-time in a dramatic contest.
Whitlock won six of the first seven legs to leave Hankey reeling – only for the game to turn around as he clawed back into the game.
Hankey won four successive legs to pull back to 6-5, and though Whitlock edged away with double 10, his opponent fired in double five, tops and double 11 to move ahead for the first time at 8-7.
Whitlock levelled by taking out 96 for a 12-darter, and the pair shared the next two legs to force a decider.
But two tons helped Hankey to be first to a finish before he landed tops at the first time of asking to complete an amazing triumph.
"I can't believe that I won that game," admitted an emotional Hankey.
"It's like I've been given a new lease of life and this can kick-start my career."
Meanwhile, 2010 champion Waites defeated Mark Webster 10-6, Thornton overcame Mervyn King 10-8, and O'Shea beat Andy Hamilton 10-7.
