World Match PlayDirk van Duijvenbode has qualified for the second round of the World Matchplay in a very nice way. The Dutchman started poorly, but eventually won with conviction 10-8 against Ryan Searle. Danny Noppert also qualified for the second round by winning over Brendan Dolan (10-6).
It took a while for Van Duijvenbode to get going against Searle. While Searle had already thrown 180 five times in the first six legs, the Dutchman waited until the tenth leg for his first 180. The Dutchman grumbled to himself, but once the first maximum score was in, the fence of the dam was over. Aubergenius and the maximum scores flew in like sweet cake.
Searle took a 3-6 lead, but was eventually broken at 4-6 as Van Duijvenbode fought back to 5-6 and 6-6. Then the legs kept going with the arrows and it became 8-8. At that moment, Van Duijvenbode struck mercilessly. He managed to break Searle and make it 9-8 before starting the final leg of the match himself. In it he showed that he is unstoppable once he gets going. He thundered over Searle and decided the race with a magnificent 138 finish. Now a duel with Michael Smith or Andrew Gilding awaits.
World Match Play
The sixteen best players of the PDC Order of Merit and as many ProTour qualifiers participate in the World Matchplay. Van Gerwen is the only Dutch winner of the tournament; he won in 2015 and 2016. Phil Taylor is the record holder with sixteen wins. The trophy is also named after the legendary darts player.
,,I never felt like he threw better. I had more to do with myself than with him. I hadn’t thrown a 180 yet when no one throws more than me. That’s not arrogance, that’s just statistics. He wasn’t that strong scoring, but I’m happy with that. People said he’s not in shape so you’ll get him anyway. But he’s just a good player,” said Van Duijvenbode afterwards viaplay.
Danny Noppert
After Van Duijvenbode it was immediately Noppert’s turn and he beat Dolan. It was evenly matched until 6-6. Where Dolan started to play less, Noppert started to play better. In the final phase of the match, Noppert, the number 11 in the world, did not give a single leg. Noppert can now take on Gary Anderson or Daryl Gurney in the second round.
The most important and most prestigious summer tournament in darts started on Saturday evening. Defending champion Peter Wright qualified for the next round without any problems, while the tournament for Jonny Clayton is already over after just one game. Dimitri Van den Bergh (last year’s losing finalist) is also through.
Program
Today the three Dutchmen are all in action. Immediately after Van Duijvenbode, Danny Noppert plays against Brendan Dolan. Michael van Gerwen will come into action tonight in the penultimate match against ‘JackpotAdrian Lewis. Van Duijvenbode and Noppert won Players Championship 18 and 19 last week and are therefore in good shape, Van Duijvenbode agrees.
Sunday 17 July
Afternoon session (from 2 pm)
Dirk van Duijvenbode – Ryan Searle 10-8
Danny Noppert – Brendan Dolan 10-6
Gary Anderson – Daryl Gurney
Michael Smith – Andrew Gilding
Evening session (from 8.30 pm)
Joe Cullen – Damon Heta
James Wade – Martin Lukeman
Michael van Gerwen – Adrian Lewis
Luke Humphries – Nathan Aspinall
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