Benito van de Pas and Michael van Gerwen delighted the home crowd in round-three of the Dutch Darts Masters, whilst Daryl Gurney produced an incredible comeback from 4-1 down to stun world number five Peter Wright on Sunday afternoon in Venray.
Michael van Gerwen maintained his hopes of defending his Dutch Darts Masters title by defeating Justin Pipe in a repeat of last year’s final. van Gerwen averaged 102.65 as he cruised to a 6-3 win over Pipe, who could only boast a 90 average.
Nevertheless, the biggest stories of the afternoon were created by Benito van de Pas and Daryl Gurney, who produced stunning displays to overcome James Wade and Peter Wright respectively.
Van de Pas was in sensational form as he dismantled eight-time major winner James Wade 6-1. Wade performed well and averaged over 100, but the 23-year-old averaged 103.67 and was extremely clinical in the latter stages of legs, to beat ‘The Machine’ for the second time in succession.
However, Daryl Gurney also grabbed the headlines with an incredible comeback victory over Peter Wright. Snakebite led 4-1 at one stage, but Gurney averaged over 105 as he won five legs in succession to seal his quarter-final spot.
Gurney produced an inspired 131 checkout in the second leg of the contest, but Wright was in imperious mood and established 4-1 advantage with an average in excess of 110.
However, Gurney showed great resilience and drew level at 4-4, before sinking a massive 110 checkout to move 5-4 ahead. The Northern Irishman held his nerve admirably in the closing stages, posting his third maximum before pinning D12 for a 13-darter, to seal a magnificent win.
Mervyn King backed up his fine victory over world champion Gary Anderson with another convincing performance; defeating Devon Petersen 6-2. King averaged a shade under 102 and took out a magnificent 128 checkout en route to a comfortable win against the enigmatic South-African, to set up a last-eight clash against van de Pas.
Adrian Lewis eased into the quarter-finals with a routine 6-2 win against nine-time major finalist Terry Jenkins. Adrian only averaged 93, but he was always in control and is throwing with tremendous confidence and ease at present.
Jackpot stormed into a 2-0 lead, but he relinquished control of the third leg, missing key doubles and allowing Jenkins to break back. Yet, this was only a momentary lapse for the two-time world champion, as he converted a majestic 100 checkout to restore his two-leg cushion.
Jenkins continued to battle away but missed four clear darts to reduce the deficit to 5-3, and Lewis illustrated his class with a delightful 99 finish culminating on D20, to set up a last-eight tie against Gurney, which is set to be a high-scoring affair.
Elsewhere, Simon Whitlock’s resurgence continues, as he defeated home favourite Jelle Klaasen 6-3. Whitlock stormed into a commanding 3-0 advantage, but Klaasen fought back well and reduced the arrears to 3-2 with an excellent 79 finish.
However, Jelle’s power-scoring evaded him for long periods and Whitlock capitalised, securing a 6-3 victory on D6, having posted his fourth maximum in the preceding visit. The Australian will face Mensur Suljovic in the quarter-finals, as the Austrian came through a nerve-jangling last leg decider against world number eight Michael Smith.
It was an extremely even-contest between Suljovic and Smith, with all eleven legs going with throw. Both men averaged 95, but Smith’s prolific scoring power wasn’t in evidence for large periods, although he showed moments of superb quality, including a spectacular 164 checkout to level up proceedings in the second leg.
Suljovic recorded a 99 finish for a 12-dart leg to move 5-4 ahead, but ‘Bully-Boy’ converted a crucial 80 finish to force a last-leg decider. However, Suljovic’s nerve held and the darts-control man progressed, to secure another notable victory over the Premier League debutant.
Finally, Dave Chisnall reeled off six successive legs to defeat Ritchie Edhouse and set up yet another meeting with Michael van Gerwen. This will be the fourteenth time the pair have clashed in the last 12 months, but MvG has dominated this particular rivalry.
However, Edhouse, who received a bye to the third-round following Robert Thornton’s withdrawal, began strongly as he established a 2-0 lead through an accomplished 116 finish. However, the St Helen’s star responded magnificently, hitting four maximums and averaging 104.44 to clinch an emphatic 6-2 triumph.
Dutch Darts Masters – European Tour Event One
Sunday February 14
Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm local time, 12pm-4pm BST)
Third Round
Michael van Gerwen 6-3 Justin Pipe
Dave Chisnall 6-2 Ritchie Edhouse
Devon Petersen 2-6 Mervyn King
James Wade 1-6 Benito van de Pas
Michael Smith 5-6 Mensur Suljovic
Simon Whitlock 6-3 Jelle Klaasen
Adrian Lewis 6-2 Terry Jenkins
Peter Wright 4-6 Daryl Gurney
Evening Session (7pm-11pm local time, 6pm-10pm BST)
Quarter-Finals
Michael van Gerwen v Dave Chisnall
Mervyn King v Benito van de Pas
Mensur Suljovic v Simon Whitlock
Adrian Lewis v Daryl Gurney
Semi-Finals
van Gerwen/Chisnall v King/van de Pas
Suljovic/Whitlock v Lewis/Gurney
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