PDC World Matchplay: Nathan Aspinall beats Jonny Clayton 18-6 to win title for first time

Nathan Aspinall produced one of the best displays of his career to become PDC World Matchplay champion by thrashing Jonny Clayton 18-6.

England's Aspinall won 13 of the last 14 legs, including 11 in a row from 5-5, at Blackpool's Winter Gardens.

Aspinall moved up four places to fifth in the world rankings after clinching his second PDC event title.

"I've got no words. I don't know what it was but I found it," the 32-year-old told Sky Sports.

"I scored brilliantly all game. I knew I had to get rid of my darts quicker. The people who come to Blackpool are diehard darts fans."

Welshman Clayton beat Luke Humphries 17-15 in a thrilling semi-final and made a 141 checkout to level the match at 5-5.

But from thereon the 48-year-old was a virtual bystander as Aspinall, from Stockport, raced to victory.

He produced a 170 finish on the bull to extend his lead to 11-5, and made his fifth 100-plus finish of 115 to move 13-5 clear, having averaged 110 over eight legs.

World number seven Clayton stopped the rot to trail 16-6 but Aspinall, whose previous PDC win was the 2019 UK Open, clinched the biggest victory of his career with double five as he led 17-6.

Aspinall, who lost the Grand Slam and Grand Prix finals last year, collected the £200,000 winner's prize and became the 12th player to lift the title.

Earlier on Sunday, teenager Beau Greaves won the Women's World Matchplay at the first attempt.

The 19-year-old top seed, making her debut in the competition, cruised to a 6-1 victory against Japan's second seed Mikuru Suzuki.