MERVYN KING came back from 5-2 down to defeat James Wade in a thrilling first round contest at the totesport.com Players Championship at the Circus Tavern, Purfleet.
Wade took command in the clash between two of the world's top five players, but only earned two darts to seal victory in the final four legs as King mounted a sensational fightback.
Wade, who reached the semi-finals of last year's event in Essex, won the first leg with an accomplished 14-dart finish.
The man from Aldershot then secured a break of throw with an 80 checkout to win the second leg, after King missed three darts at doubles.
King managed to break back to win the third and levelled the game at two-all with an excellent 50 finish.
Wade won the fifth leg to lead the game for a second time thanks to a 65 checkout, completed on double top.
Both players hit maximums in the next leg, but Wade moved 4-2 up with an excellent 103 checkout, and a 13-dart-finish put the left-hander one leg away from victory.
King hit a fine 130 checkout on double five to win the eighth leg and then broke throw in the ninth to keep his hopes alive.
Wade appeared to have gained the advantage in the tenth leg after hitting three consecutive 140s, but he missed two darts at double 12 to take the win and King converted a two-dart 96 finish to force a decider.
The final leg was finely balanced but, with Wade waiting on 60, King held his nerve to hit a 106 checkout to complete a superb comeback and set up a tasty second round contest with Jelle Klaasen on Saturday.
"When I was 5-2 down I couldn't quite believe it because I felt comfortable and had been playing well," said King. "I could have been 4-1 up at the break but I missed a couple of chances and James took his.
"I kept believing, dug in and thankfully he missed a couple of chances for the match and I stepped in."
Wade said: "At 5-2 it was my game to lose but Mervyn stuck in there well and did the job. I felt good on stage and it was a good game."
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