Shocks galore at the German Darts Masters!

It was an afternoon of shocks at the German Darts Masters, as James Wade, Robert Thornton, Kim Huybrechts and Terry Jenkins were all dumped out in round-two at the Ballhausforum, Dolce Hotel, Munich. Only two seeds from eight made it through, as the under-dogs prospered on Sunday afternoon.

Joe Cullen continued his fine run of form as he edged out eight-time major winner James Wade in a topsy-turvy contest. Cullen dominated the scoring stakes but only registered 27% on the doubles. ‘The Machine’ delivered a fine 141 finish to draw level at 4-4, but ‘The Rockstar’ won the final two legs to reach the third-round.

Chris Dobey produced the performance of the afternoon to defeat Robert Thornton 6-4 and reach the last 16. Dobey, mentored by world champion Gary Anderson, averaged 100.64 and fired in five maximums to dump out the World Grand-Prix champion. The youngster also registered 50% on the doubles to complete the upset.

Kim Huybrechts was another seed to tumble in round-two, as he was dismantled 6-1 by William O’Connor, who will be looking to replicate his run to the quarters here 12 months ago. The Belgian averaged a miserly 85 and hit just 16% on the doubles, and whilst the Irishman wasn’t at his best, he did enough to blow away ‘The Hurricane’.

Kevin Painter survived a valiant fightback from Justin Pipe to reach round-three. Painter led 4-1 and squandered chances for a 5-1 advantage, but ‘The Force’ stormed back to force a last-leg decider. However, ‘The Artist’ held his nerve when it mattered, posting a maximum and converting D20 to progress.

Elsewhere, James Richardson continued his magnificent run in Munich with a fine 6-2 win over nine-time major finalist Terry Jenkins. Jenkins averaged just 86 and only hit two doubles from nine attempts. Richardson only hit 28% on the doubles himself, but he posted two maximums and averaged over 91 to dump out ‘The Raging Bull’.

Ian White was one of just two seeds to make it through this afternoon, as he eased past former UK Open finalist Mark Walsh 6-2. White averaged 98. 38, recorded four maximums and boasted an impressive 50% on the doubles, to set up a third-round meeting with either Jelle Klaasen or Ronny Huybrechts.

Dave Chisnall also survived a scare to overcome quick-fire Jermaine Wattimena 6-4. The Dutchman produced a fine 111 checkout to establish an early 3-1 advantage, but Chisnall fought back superbly, winning five of the final six legs to progress and set up a clash with Robert Thornton’s conqueror, Chris Dobey on Monday afternoon.

Finally, Brendan Dolan’s struggles continue as he was thrashed 6-1 by Spanish star Cristo Reyes. Dolan endured a torrid time on the doubles, converting just 1 double from 16 attempts. However, Reyes gratefully exploited Dolan’s profligacy; hitting five maximums to storm into the last 16.

German Darts Masters
European Tour Event Two
Ballhausforum, Dolce Hotel, Munich
Sunday March 27
Second Round
Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm local time, 12pm-4pm UK time)
Cristo Reyes 6-1 Brendan Dolan (14)
Kevin Painter 6-5 Justin Pipe (16)
James Richardson 6-2 Terry Jenkins (11)
Ian White (7) 6-2 Mark Walsh
Chris Dobey 6-4 Robert Thornton (9)
Joe Cullen 6-4 James Wade (4)
William O’Connor 6-1 Kim Huybrechts (5)
Dave Chisnall (8) 6-4  Jermaine Wattimena