World Series of Darts Rankings

Gary Anderson leads the way in the World Series of Darts rankings following his second successive World Series triumph in last weekend’s Auckland Darts Masters. ‘The Flying Scotsman’ followed up his Dubai Darts Masters victory over Michael van Gerwen with an 11-7 victory over defending Auckland champion Adrian Lewis on Sunday.

This leaves Anderson on a maximum 24 points, which is double that of his nearest challengers. Michael van Gerwen and Adrian Lewis are both on 11 points, having appeared in one World Series final each this year. Despite averaging 107 against James Wade, Van Gerwen was beaten in the Auckland quarter-finals for the second straight year.

Lewis was thrashed 10-2 by Dave Chisnall in the Dubai Darts Masters, but Jackpot produced a much-improved showing in Auckland. Lewis beat Raymond van Barneveld in last year’s Auckland final, and he reached the final once again with victories over Stuart Leach, Phil Taylor and James Wade, before losing out to the world champion.

Phil Taylor, James Wade, Dave Chisnall and Raymond van Barneveld are all locked on eight points apiece following the opening two events of 2016. Taylor and Chisnall both secured five points from their run to the semi-finals in Dubai, however they exited in the last eight in New Zealand.

For the second year in succession, Taylor suffered a deciding-leg defeat to Adrian Lewis, losing 10-9 in the quarter-finals. Elsewhere, Chisnall was comprehensively beaten at the same stage by five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld.

Van Barneveld suffered a narrow 10-8 loss to Gary Anderson in the Dubai Darts Masters quarter-finals, and Anderson was again Barney’s conqueror in Auckland. The Dutchman defeated Cody Harris and Dave Chisnall to reach the last four, before succumbing 11-7 to an inspired Anderson who averaged 112.

Van Barneveld averaged 104.85 himself, but his semi-final defeat saw him accrue five points towards his World Series ranking, and he’ll be hoping to continue his impressive form in Shanghai next week.

James Wade also produced a fine showing in Auckland. After overcoming debutant Ken Moir 6-2 in the opening-round, ‘The Machine’ averaged 107.45 to record a superb 10-6 victory over world number one Michael van Gerwen. However, Wade suffered his second successive semi-final loss in Auckland, after Lewis edged him out 11-9.

Peter Wright currently occupies the lowest ranking position out of all eight World Series participants. Wright suffered quarter-final defeat to Michael van Gerwen in Dubai, whilst he was beaten by his compatriot and eventual winner Gary Anderson at the same stage in Auckland, leaving Snakebite on 6 points from the opening two events.

The eight Oceanic representatives who competed in Auckland are on 1 point, after they all suffered first-round exits against the eight seeded players. The eight World Series seeds will be competing in the inaugural staging of the Shanghai Darts Masters this weekend, before visiting Tokyo two weeks later.

The Sydney Darts Masters and Perth Darts Masters conclude the worldwide tour, and at the culmination of these events, Glasgow’s Braehead Arena will host the World Series of Darts Finals.

The World Series of Darts Finals will see the top eight players in the World Series rankings following the six international events in Dubai, Auckland, Shanghai, Tokyo, Sydney and Perth, qualify by right.

They will be joined by a further 16 qualifiers and wildcard invitations, who will contest the first round before the top eight seeds enter the action in the second round.

2016 World Series of Darts Rankings

Gary Anderson- 24
Michael van Gerwen, Adrian Lewis- 11
Phil Taylor, James Wade, Dave Chisnall, Raymond van Barneveld- 8
Peter Wright- 6
Clinton Bridge, Cody Harris, Damon Heta, Stuart Leach, Ken Moir, Warren Parry, Bernie Smith, Rob Szabo- 1

World Series of Darts Events- Ranking Criteria
Winner: 12 points
Runner-Up: 8 points
Semi-Finalists: 5 points
Quarter-Finalists: 3 points
Last 16: 1 point