The 2018 BetVictor World Matchplay gets underway at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool in just under a fortnight’s time. Josh’s Dartistry picks out four of the most intriguing first-round ties and runs the rule over the respective tussles…. Continue reading “World Matchplay 2018: The Four Standout Ties!”
Raymond van Barneveld rolled back the years in a thrilling Premier League double-header in Rotterdam this week, demonstrating that he’s still the man for the big occasion with memorable victories over Simon Whitlock and Michael van Gerwen in front of an adoring home crowd. Continue reading “OPINION: Barney remains the man for the big occasion!”
The 2018 Unibet Premier League gets underway at Dublin’s 3Arena on Thursday evening and it’s set to be an intriguing campaign, with six changes from last year’s line-up- which includes four debutants. Continue reading “2018 Premier League Darts: Tournament Preview!”
The 2018 PDC World Darts Championship gets underway at the Alexandra Palace on Thursday evening. Michael van Gerwen is bidding to retain his crown and win a third world title, whilst Phil Taylor prepares to say farewell to the professional game. Josh’s Dartistry examines four potential outsiders for the title! Continue reading “PDC World Championship 2018: Four Outsiders!”
The 2017 Premier League reached its halfway point in Cardiff last week, as Kim Huybrechts and Jelle Klaasen suffered elimination. As a result, Josh’s Dartistry takes this opportunity to assess the statistics from this year’s event, to determine whether or not they reflect the current league standings. Continue reading “2017 Premier League Darts: The statistics so far!”
The 2017 Coral UK Open Finals kicks off at the Butlin’s Minehead Resort on Friday afternoon. World champion Michael van Gerwen will be going in search of his third successive UK Open title, but in the tournament dubbed ‘The FA Cup of Darts’- anything is possible. Josh’s Dartistry picks out his five potential outsiders for the crown. Continue reading “2017 UK Open: Five Potential Outsiders!”
Phil Taylor has sensationally claimed that he thinks world number one Michael van Gerwen has got just a 25% chance of winning this year’s World Championship. Taylor was speaking to Josh’s Dartistry after his comprehensive 3-0 first-round triumph at the Ally Pally against DPA qualifier David Platt, and ‘The Power’ was in bullish mood.
Taylor performed impressively on Sunday night, averaging 101.93, landing three maximums and converting 50% of his double attempts. The 55-year-old bust an 81 finish in the final leg which would have seen him post the highest average of the tournament so far, and his highest first-round average at the Worlds since 2003.
Understandably, Taylor was in confident mood: “I’ve got a massive chance, trust me. I’m not going to bull**** you, I’m not that way, but I’ve got a massive chance of winning this; seriously. I can tell you now, the way I’m practicing, what I’ve been doing back home with our Christopher, I’ve got a massive chance of winning it. 102 is rubbish really, I’m going to improve, 100%.”
Taylor is priced at 10/1 to win his 17th World Championship title, which are his longest odds in the history of this competition. The main reason for Taylor’s price is that fact that he’s set to meet Michael van Gerwen in the semi-finals, but the Stoke-on-Trent ace was unconvinced about the Dutchman’s prospects of winning a second world title. Continue reading “Taylor: ‘I’ve got a massive chance. MvG won’t win it- not this year!’”
Mensur Suljovic has revealed that he has spoken to the PDC to confirm that he does not want to be considered for a Premier League place in 2017. In an exclusive interview with Josh’s Dartistry, the world number seven discussed his stunning revival over the past few years and explained his reasons for rejecting a potential Premier League invitation.
The Austrian is somewhat of a darting veteran these days. He began his career in the BDO, making his World Masters debut in 1999. He then made his World Championship debut at the Lakeside in 2002, beating a certain Vincent van der Voort in round-one. Yet he didn’t appear in the PDC World Championship until 2008.
Nevertheless, it’s only within the last few years where Suljovic has really made his mark. He opted to compete full-time on the Pro Tour circuit in 2015 and he reaped the rewards, reaching two major semi-finals, two major quarter-finals and breaking into the world’s top 20 after some extremely consistent Pro Tour performances.
However, 2016 has been even better for the man nicknamed ‘The Gentle’. Suljovic’s consistency on the Pro Tour and European Tour saw him finish the year second on the European Tour Order of Merit, after he won his maiden PDC title at the International Darts Open in September. Continue reading “EXCLUSIVE- Suljovic to reject Premier League invitation!”
Three-time Lakeside world champion Martin Adams bowed out of the 2016 Grand Slam of Darts on Monday evening after suffering a 5-3 defeat against former World Grand Prix finalist Brendan Dolan. ‘Wolfie’ needed to defeat the Northern Irishman by 5-3 or better to keep alive his qualification hopes, but he narrowly fell short.
Adams performed fantastically on his debut Grand Slam campaign twelve months ago where he defeated Jelle Klaasen, Ian White and Steve Beaton to reach the knockout stages, before losing in a deciding-leg shootout to Kim Huybrechts in the last 16. Adams was arguably ‘the story’ of the competition last year.
However, the 60-year-old was understandably unable to replicate such heroics this time around, largely due to his well-documented health problems. Despite this, he still firmly made his mark on the competition.
Adams’ participation in this year’s Grand Slam was cast into genuine doubt when it was revealed in September that he’d been battling prostate cancer for the last eight months, therefore the fact he was able to compete is a triumph in itself.
Martin began his second course of radiotherapy in August and his treatment concluded in mid-September, whilst he also underwent hormone treatment alongside the radiotherapy. Since his diagnosis last year, Martin has become an ambassador for Prostate Cancer UK charity, working to raise awareness of the condition. Continue reading “COLUMN: Battling Martin Adams epitomises the word ‘legend!’”