Superstar Michael van Gerwen fought his way into the round of 16 at the Darts World Cup in London. Mensur Suljovic put up a big fight with “MVG” on Wednesday (December 28, 2022), but was beaten 4-2 after sets.
The 33-year-old Dutchman had to face the world number 30. from Austria call up his “A-Game” in what is probably the best match of this World Cup so far. With brutal scoring – like the 121.33 average in the second set or six perfect darts in the fourth set – van Gerwen earned the first match darts, but didn’t use them at first. Suljovic extended the game thanks to a 161 finish before “mighty mike” finally ended the match in the sixth set with the double eight.
Clemens meets fireman Soutar
Germany’s best darts professional Gabriel Clemens meets “fireman” Alan Soutar in the World Cup round of 16 on Friday at “Ally Pally” in London (30.12.22, 1.40 p.m.).
The Scot, who had worked shifts in the fire station in his main job over Christmas, surprisingly prevailed in his third round match against world number ninth Danny Noppert from the Netherlands (4:2).
Anderson already out at the Darts World Cup
Two-time world champion Gary Anderson was surprisingly eliminated. The “Flying Scotsman” clearly lost 4-1 to Englishman Chris Dobey, who was 22nd.
After an outstanding first set with a 121 finish at the break and a strong double rate, Anderson missed closing the second set. Dobey punished the Scot’s double faults, equalized and also grabbed the next three sets.
Big comeback in “Ally Pally” by de Sousa
While Anderson missed a comeback, the Portuguese Jose de Sousa did much better. After a 0:3 deficit and match darts against himself, the world number 17 hit. the Englishman Ryan Searle (16th) with 4: 3. “The Special One” de Sousa now meets the world number one Gerwyn Price (Wales).
Joe Cullen also made it to the next round. The world number 13. from England defeated the Australian Damon Heta 4-0. This would make Cullen the next opponent of the German darts pro Martin Schindler, should he prevail against the favored vice world champion Michael Smith (England) in the last match of the evening session.