Justin Pipe will miss this weekend’s Ladbrokes UK Open after returning a positive test for Covid-19 ahead of the tournament.
Continue reading “Pipe ruled out of UK Open following positive Covid test”
Steve Beaton defeated Raymond van Barneveld in a battle of the legends in Leverkusen, while Glen Durrant enjoyed a winning start on his European Tour debut on Friday night as the European Darts Open kicked off in style.
Continue reading “2019 European Darts Open – Day One Report!”
Rob Cross produced a sensational display to dismantle two-time world champion Adrian Lewis in Leverkusen, as Peter Wright returned to form in emphatic style on a dramatic day of second-round action at the European Darts Open on Saturday. Continue reading “European Darts Open 2018: Day Two Report!”
Adrian Lewis and James Wade made winning starts as the 2018 European Tour got underway in Leverkusen, whilst Vincent van der Voort, Dimitri van den Bergh, Steve Beaton and Jonny Clayton were all sent packing on a dramatic day of action at the Ostermann Arena on Friday evening. Continue reading “European Darts Open 2018: Day One Report!”
Justin Pipe claims that he’s been left ‘flabbergasted’ and ‘heartbroken’ after being charged by the Darts Regulation Authority for gamesmanship and bringing the sport into disrepute, following the ‘cough-gate’ scandal that erupted at last month’s World Championship. Continue reading “Pipe ‘flabbergasted’ and ‘heartbroken’ over DRA charge!”
Justin Pipe has been fined £3,000 for coughing whilst his opponent was throwing at a double for the match during last month’s PDC World Championship at the Alexandra Palace. Continue reading “Justin Pipe fined over ‘cough-gate’ incident!”
Justin Pipe has revealed that he and his family have been subjected to a torrent of abuse over the recent ‘cough gate’ controversy, after he received an extremely volatile reception in his second-round defeat to Phil Taylor at the William Hill World Darts Championship on Saturday evening. Continue reading “Pipe hits back over ‘cough gate’ incident!”
Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld stormed into the third-round of the William Hill World Darts Championship with comprehensive victories, as fourth seed Daryl Gurney was sent packing by the giant-killing John Henderson on a dramatic day of action at the Alexandra Palace. Continue reading “PDC World Championship 2018: Day Ten Report!”
Justin Pipe has been accused of ‘despicable’ gamesmanship after being embroiled in a coughing controversy during his World Championship tie against New Zealand qualifier Bernie Smith. Continue reading “Pipe blasted over ‘despicable’ coughing incident!”
Michael Smith and Simon Whitlock defeated talented youngsters Steve Lennon and Martin Schindler to book their spots in round-two of the World Darts Championship, as Justin Pipe came through a fifth set tiebreak to set up a second-round tie against Phil Taylor, on an eventful night at the Alexandra Palace on Wednesday evening. Continue reading “2018 PDC World Championship: Day Seven Report!”
Michael van Gerwen extended his lead at the top of the PDC Order of Merit to almost one million pounds after retaining his Players Championship Finals title in Minehead, whilst Jonny Clayton has broken into the world’s top 32 for the first time in his career after reaching his first major final. Continue reading “PDC Order of Merit Update!”
Michael van Gerwen continued his magnificent run of form to secure a third successive Players Championship Finals title with an emphatic 11-2 victory over Jonny Clayton in Minehead on Sunday evening. Continue reading “Players Championship Finals Report!”
Michael van Gerwen continued the defence of his Players Championship Finals title with convincing wins over Steve West and Darren Webster, whilst James Wade returned to form to set up a quarter-final clash with top seed Rob Cross on an action-packed double session in Minehead on Saturday. Continue reading “Players Championship Finals: Day Two Report!”
Gerwyn Price edged out Corey Cadby in a highly-charged second-round affair at the World Series of Darts Finals in Glasgow, whilst Dimitri van den Bergh produced the performance of his career to stun Raymond van Barneveld. Elsewhere, the world’s top three all cruised through to the last eight on a dramatic night at the Braehead Arena. Continue reading “World Series of Darts Finals: Day Two Report!”
Four of the world’s top ten were dumped out in the first-round of the World Series of Darts Finals in Glasgow, as Adrian Lewis, Mensur Suljovic, Dave Chisnall and Michael Smith were the victims of a night of shocks at the Braehead Arena on Friday evening. Continue reading “World Series of Darts Finals: Day One Report!”
Top seed Gary Anderson faces a potential showdown against Mensur Suljovic at the World Series of Darts Finals this weekend, whilst Michael van Gerwen will begin his title defence against either Adrian Lewis or Max Hopp at Glasgow’s Braehead Arena. Continue reading “DRAW: World Series of Darts Finals 2017!”
World number one Michael van Gerwen will go in search of a third successive title at the World Series of Darts Finals in November, but there will be no Phil Taylor, as the 24-man field for next month’s event has been finalised. Continue reading “World Series of Darts Finals: Field Confirmed!”
Rob Cross, Mark Webster and Justin Pipe were amongst the eight players to seal their qualification for next month’s World Series of Darts Finals, after coming through an 86-man field at the Barnsley Metrodome on Monday evening. Continue reading “World Series of Darts Finals: Qualifiers Confirmed!”
John Henderson caused one of the biggest shocks in World Grand Prix history by dumping out reigning champion and world number one Michael van Gerwen on a dramatic opening night at the Citywest Hotel, Dublin, on Sunday evening. Continue reading “World Grand Prix: Day One Report!”
Michael van Gerwen will begin the defence of his World Grand Prix title against John Henderson, whilst two-time world champion Gary Anderson will take on debutant Richard North, after the draw for next month’s tournament was made this morning. Continue reading “2017 World Grand Prix Draw!”
Phil Taylor kicked off his final World Matchplay campaign with victory over Gerwyn Price, to set up an enthralling second-round showdown with his old rival Raymond van Barneveld after a thrilling double-session at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool on Sunday. Continue reading “2017 World Matchplay: Day Two Report!”
Former champion James Wade and Scottish stars Gary Anderson and Peter Wright will open the BetVictor World Matchplay on Saturday July 22nd, whilst defending champion Michael van Gerwen will begin his title defence on Monday 24th July, after the schedule of play was confirmed last week. Continue reading “2017 World Matchplay Schedule of Play!”
Michael van Gerwen will begin the defence of his BetVictor World Matchplay title against former Lakeside world champion Stephen Bunting, as Phil Taylor’s Blackpool farewell kicks off with a potential banana-skin against Gerwyn Price, after the draw for this month’s event at the Winter Gardens was made on Tuesday evening. Continue reading “2017 World Matchplay Draw!”
Justin Pipe has admitted that he believes he should have been selected to compete in the Premier League earlier in his career. The three-time major semi-finalist broke into the top ten of the PDC Order of Merit a few years ago, but claims that his Premier League exclusion was a bitter pill to swallow. Continue reading “Pipe: “I really do think I should have been in the Premier League””
Vincent van der Voort survived a valiant fightback from Adrian Lewis in a thrilling first-round tie in Hamburg, as Brendan Dolan, Max Hopp, Darren Webster and Christian Kist were all dumped out on an eventful opening day of action at the 2017 European Darts Matchplay. Continue reading “2017 European Darts Matchplay: Day One Report!”
The draw for the 2017 Gibraltar Darts Trophy has been confirmed ahead of this weekend’s PDC European Tour event at the Victoria Stadium, with top seed Peter Wright vying for his fourth European Tour title of the year in the absence of world number one Michael van Gerwen. Continue reading “Gibraltar Darts Trophy: Draw & Schedule!”
Adrian Lewis will take on Daryl Gurney in the first-round of the German Darts Masters on Saturday, whilst five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld will face his fellow Dutchman Michael Plooy, after the draw and schedule for this weekend’s European Tour event in Jena were confirmed. Continue reading “German Darts Masters Draw!”
Raymond van Barneveld and Adrian Lewis were among the eighteen players to secure qualification for next month’s German Darts Masters on Friday evening. The former world champions both came through the 83-man field at the UK Qualifiers in Milton Keynes, to seal their spots in the second European Tour event of the season in Jena. Continue reading “Barney & Lewis among qualifiers for German Darts Masters!”
World number two Gary Anderson tops the Players Championship Order of Merit after the conclusion of the opening double-header at the Barnsley Metrodome last weekend. The two-time world champion averaged 115.15 to defeat his fellow Scot Peter Wright in Sunday’s second event, and he sits top of the Order of Merit with £11,500. Continue reading “UPDATE: Players Championship Order of Merit!”
Former world champion Mark Webster missed just two darts at double as he stormed through to the second-round of the 2017 PDC World Championship, as Ian White and Chris Dobey also tasted victory on Sunday afternoon at the Alexandra Palace.
Webster produced a masterclass in finishing as he overcame Joe Murnan in straight sets. The former world champion converted nine of his eleven double attempts at an astonishing 82% success rate to record a 3-0 victory, despite averaging 87.78 to Murnan’s 88.84.
The opening two legs of the contest were shared, before Webster took out 65 via D4 to break throw. The Welshman then clinched the first set with a clinical 70 finish to maintain his 100% checkout percentage, before holding throw in the opening leg of set two with a majestic 129 finish (T19, T16, D12) as Murnan was sat poised on tops.
Webster was yet to post a score of over 140 but continued his stunning sequence of finishing to break Murnan’s throw with a quality two-dart 88 checkout. ‘Shaggy’ stayed alive in set two by taking out 56 to break, but Webby fired in his first maximum before rounding-off a 14-darter to maintain his flawless finishing and double his lead. Continue reading “2017 PDC World Championship Day Four: Afternoon Report!”
Benito van de Pas clinched his third Players Championship title of the year with a comprehensive 6-1 victory over Dave Chisnall in the final Pro Tour event of 2016 at the Barnsley Metrodome on Saturday afternoon.
The 23-year-old Dutchman, who broke into the world’s top 16 earlier this year, capitalised on an error-strewn display from Chisnall to scoop the £10,000 winner’s cheque, whilst also securing second spot on the final Players Championship Order of Merit.
Van de Pas opened his account in Saturday’s final with a solid 16-dart hold on tops, but Chisnall fired back by pinning D10, having missed tops for a 160 checkout in the preceding visit. However, the Dutchman regained his lead in leg three, kicking off the leg with a magnificent 177, before converting D16 for a classy 13-dart leg.
Nevertheless, the fourth leg saw farcical finishing from both players. Chizzy spurned an incredible ELEVEN darts at double to restore parity, and after missing 8 darts at double, Van de Pas eventually hit D1 to secure an important break. Continue reading “Van de Pas demolishes Chisnall to win Players Championship 20!”
Peter Wright produced one of the finest European Tour performances in recent memory, averaging almost 114 on day-two at the German Darts Championship, as Michael van Gerwen overcame a battling Robbie Green in Hildesheim on Saturday evening.
Van Gerwen began his assault for a seventh European Tour title of the year with a hard-fought 6-4 victory over Robbie Green. The world number one averaged 99.83 and hit 46% of his double attempts to overcome ‘Kong’, who narrowly misses out on a qualification spot for the European Championships in Hasselt.
However, it was Peter Wright who produced the performance of the tournament thus far, averaging 113.77 as he recorded a comprehensive 6-1 victory over St Helens’ Eddie Dootson. Snakebite registered four maximums and hit six of his ten attempts at double, as Dootson claimed just the solitary leg, despite averaging a respectable 94.74.
International Darts Open winner Mensur Suljovic delivered a stunning performance as he swept aside Darren Johnson in round-two. The Austrian averaged a mightily impressive 106.22 and converted 55% of his attempts at double to set up a third-round clash with David Pallett.
Third seed Dave Chisnall breezed into the last 16 with a whitewash victory over ‘The Rock’ Peter Hudson. Chisnall averaged 102.48, landed three maximums and hit 43% of his doubles, as Hudson was afforded just the solitary dart at double in the entire contest. Continue reading “German Darts Championship: Day Two Report & Results!”
Steve West produced one of the best performances ever seen on the European Tour as he whitewashed his brother Tony in round-one of the German Darts Championship, as Robbie Green, Mark Webster and Rowby-John Rodriguez also impressed on day one in Hildesheim.
Yet, it was Steve West who stole the show, producing an incredible display of scoring as he dismantled his brother in the opening match of Friday’s evening session. Steve defeated Phil Taylor in the World Grand Prix earlier this month, and continued his fine run of form with a sparkling display against the former World Masters winner.
Steve fired in SEVEN maximums and finished with an average of 109.98. Nevertheless, his first nine-dart average was an astonishing 400.33- the second highest recorded in PDC history. This keeps alive West’s hopes of qualifying for the European Championships, and he takes on former world champion Stephen Bunting on Saturday.
Former world champion Mark Webster enjoyed a welcome return to form after breezing past the veteran Mervyn King. The Welshman averaged 99.48, landed four maximums and hit 66% of his attempts at double to record a 6-2 victory, despite King averaging a very respectable 96.29.
Robbie Green produced the performance of the afternoon session as he stormed past former world champion Christian Kist 6-2. ‘Kong’ averaged 99.40 and fired in three maximums to set up a clash with Kist’s compatriot Michael van Gerwen; a clash which Green must win to remain on course to qualify for the European Championships. Continue reading “German Darts Championship: Day One Report & Results!”
World champion Gary Anderson began his bid for a maiden World Matchplay crown with a comprehensive win over Alan Norris, whilst Adrian Lewis and Peter Wright also eased through to round-two. However, former winner James Wade suffered a surprise first-round exit at the Winter Gardens on Sunday.
Wade was beaten by an inspired Mervyn King in the opening match of Sunday’s evening session. ‘The King’ averaged 99.45, hit three maximums and converted an impressive 67% of his attempts at double, to dethrone ‘The Machine’ by a 10-5 scoreline.
Wade was uncharacteristically profligate on the doubles, as King stormed into a commanding 6-1 advantage. The left-hander missed three darts at double in the opening leg, and King capitalised on his opponent’s wastefulness, taking out finishes of 82, 100 and 120 to put one foot into the last 16.
Wade scored strongly in the latter stages of the contest, but it was to no avail. King missed D8 for a match-winning 136 outshot, and he was almost punished as Wade wired the bullseye for a 161 finish. However, King, a semi-finalist at the Winter Gardens in 2009, returned to post D4 and seal his second-round spot.
Michael van Gerwen will begin the defence of his World Matchplay title against Jamie Caven, whilst world champion Gary Anderson takes on former Lakeside world finalist Alan Norris, after the draw was made live on Sky Sports News on Thursday morning.
The prestigious 32-player event, televised by Sky Sports, will be held at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens from July 16-24. Van Gerwen, who defeated James Wade in last year’s final, is faced with a tough assignment against Caven, a winner of seven Pro Tour titles.
Arguably the tie of the round sees world champion Gary Anderson take on Alan Norris. Norris has been in tremendous form over the last twelve months, which saw him reach the quarter-finals of the PDC World Championship on debut. Anderson has never gone beyond the last four in Blackpool, and this promises to be a quick-fire contest.
Phil Taylor will begin his bid for an unprecedented 16th World Matchplay title against Robbie Green, who just managed to secure his spot on the final day of qualifying.’Kong’ is making his first Matchplay appearance since 2004, but Taylor will be hoping to win his eighth Blackpool title in just nine years.
World number one Michael van Gerwen will begin his quest for a fourth European Tour title of 2016 against either Jonny Clayton or a home-nation qualifier, when the Austrian Darts Open begins in Vienna on Friday.
The £115,000 PDC European Tour event will see 48 players competing from Friday June 10th to Sunday June 12th at the Multiversum in Schwechat, Vienna. Van Gerwen, a two-time champion here, will be hoping to continue his unblemished European Tour record in Austria this weekend.
Phil Taylor will also be making his first European Tour appearance of the year, and he’ll face a tough tie against either Mervyn King or Steve West in round-two. Meanwhile, second seed Peter Wright will meet either quick-fire Dutchman Jermaine Wattimena, or recent World Cup semi-finalist Brendan Dolan.
Three-time European Tour winner, Michael Smith, will lock horns against Mike Zuydwijk or Mark Frost, whilst fourth seed Dave Chisnall will play Jamie Caven or 2012 Austrian Darts Open winner Justin Pipe.
Daryl Gurney, Joe Cullen, Stephen Bunting and Alan Norris all booked their places in the second-round of the Gibraltar Darts Trophy, after a busy double-session of action at the Victoria Stadium on Friday.
The performance of the day was delivered by Daryl Gurney, who averaged over 102 in defeating David Pallett 6-3, to set up a second-round tie against world number five Peter Wright.
German Darts Masters semi-finalist Joe Cullen also impressed at The Rock, coming from 5-3 down to edge out former major winner Kevin Painter in a high-quality contest. Cullen averaged over 96 and converted finishes of 113 and 119 to seal a fine comeback victory against ‘The Artist’.
Stephen Bunting and Alan Norris both breezed into the last 32 with convincing 6-1 victories. Bunting defeated former UK Open finalist Mark Walsh, whilst Norris saw off Gibraltar’s George Federico by the same scoreline.
Former Austrian Open winner Justin Pipe cruised into round-two with a comprehensive whitewash victory over an out-of-sorts Jamie Lewis. However, it was a role-reversal for Lewis’ Welsh compatriot Gerwyn Price, still fresh from his Players Championship seven victory. Price whitewashed Gibraltar’s David Francis 6-0, despite averaging a poultry 77.
Former world champion Christian Kist stormed into the second-round with a comprehensive 6-1 victory against Spain’s Cristo Reyes, and Kist’s Dutch compatriot Jermaine Wattimena also secured a spot in the last 32 by virtue of an impressive 6-2 triumph against Rowby-John Rodriguez.
World-Youth champion Max Hopp confirmed his spot in Sunday’s last 16 with victory over former world-finalist Andy Hamilton. Hopp recorded 3 maximums and completed a 121 checkout to secure victory, and he will receive a bye to round-three after Adrian Lewis pulled out this morning through illness.
Steve Beaton suffered a surprise 6-4 defeat to Austria’s Michael Rasztovits in the second game of Friday’s double session. Missed doubles ultimately cost ‘The Adonis’ and Rasztovits took full advantage, to set up a last 32 clash against Kim Huybrechts.
Former European Tour finalist John Henderson came through an extremely scrappy tussle against veteran Wayne Jones, who incredibly spurned 11 match darts to defeat the Scotsman. ‘Big John’ will now meet his fellow Scot; World Grand-Prix champion Robert Thornton.
Home favourite Dyson Parody also capitalised on profligacy from his opponent, as he defeated Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-3. Van Duijvenbode trailed 3-0 having astonishingly missed his first 22 attempts at double, and he was unable to rectify matters as Parody claimed a morale-boosting win.
Elsewhere, Antonio Alcinas will lock horns with Ian White in round-two, after the Spaniard thrashed Stuart Kellett 6-1. Nick Fulwell and Joe Murnan also secured their places in Saturday’s second-round, with routine 6-2 wins against Antony Lopez and Ross Smith respectively.
The full list of results and the schedule of play for Saturday’s double-session can be found below:
Peperami Gibraltar Darts Trophy
Friday May 6
Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm local time, 12pm-4pm BST)
Ross Smith 2-6 Joe Murnan
Michael Rasztovits 6-4 Steve Beaton
Nick Fullwell 6-2 Antony Lopez
Justin Pipe 6-0 Jamie Lewis
Antonio Alcinas 6-1 Stuart Kellett
John Henderson 6-5 Wayne Jones
Dirk van Duijvenbode 3-6 Dyson Parody
Daryl Gurney 6-3 David Pallett
Evening Session (7pm-11pm local time, 6pm-10pm BST)
Andy Hamilton 4-6 Max Hopp
Christian Kist 6-1 Cristo Reyes
Gerwyn Price 6-0 David Francis
Rowby-John Rodriguez 2-6 Jermaine Wattimena
Joe Cullen 6-5 Kevin Painter
Mark Walsh 1-6 Stephen Bunting
George Federico 1-6 Alan Norris
Kyle Anderson v Steve West
Saturday May 7
Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm local time, 12pm-4pm BST)
Robert Thornton v John Henderson
Mervyn King v Christian Kist
Simon Whitlock v Gerwyn Price
Terry Jenkins v Joe Murnan
Mensur Suljovic v Jermaine Wattimena
Jelle Klaasen v Dyson Parody
Ian White v Antonio Alcinas
Evening Session (7pm-11pm local time, 6pm-10pm BST)
Kim Huybrechts v Michael Rasztovits
James Wade v Justin Pipe
Benito van de Pas v Stephen Bunting
Gary Anderson v Alan Norris
Michael van Gerwen v Nick Fullwell
Dave Chisnall v K Anderson/West
Peter Wright v Daryl Gurney
Michael Smith v Joe Cullen
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’.
Continue reading “Shocks galore at the German Darts Masters!”
Mervyn King sent world champion Gary Anderson packing in the second-round of the Dutch Darts Masters, with a fantastic performance on Saturday evening. King was in tremendous form, averaging 100.54 and posting four maximums to Anderson’s three, to set up a last 16 tie against Devon Petersen on Sunday afternoon in Venray.
King led 2-0 in the early stages, but Anderson fought back strongly to level up proceedings. Yet, Mervyn produced a fantastic 11-darter to steal a march, before eventually completing a memorable 6-4 victory over ‘The Flying Scotsman’.
Michael van Gerwen began the defence of his Dutch Darts Masters title with a routine 6-3 victory over John Henderson. Van Gerwen stormed into a 5-0 advantage, but the Scot avoided the dreaded whitewash with a fine 13-darter.
MvG then missed five match darts in the seventh leg, allowing Henderson to double his tally, before ‘Big Hendo’ clinched his third leg in succession with a fine 14-dart hold culminating on D12. However, van Gerwen eventually sealed the triumph in the ninth leg, posting his third maximum and converting an 81 checkout on the bullseye for a 12-darter.
Continue reading “Dutch Darts Masters- Round Two Report & Results”
Former World Champions Mark Webster and Christian Kist both progressed through to the second-round of the World Championships, whilst the seeded duo of Justin Pipe and John Henderson were beaten at Alexandra Palace on Friday afternoon.
2012 Lakeside World Champion Kist, eased into the second-round of the World Championships after demolishing 20th seed Justin Pipe. Kist reeled off seven consecutive legs to seal the win, dropping just two legs against an abject Pipe, who averaged a mere 75.
Kist snatched a tight opening set and never looked back from that point onwards. Pipe held throw with a classy 104 checkout in the opening leg, but Kist responded with a 13-darter.
Continue reading “World Championship Day Two: Kist and Webster safely through to second-round.”
World Grand-Prix Champion Robert Thornton was sent packing at the first-round stage of the European Championships in Hasselt, as he was beaten 6-4 by fellow Scot John Henderson.
The Thorn, who secured his second PDC major in Dublin just three weeks ago, struggled for consistency throughout and Henderson took full advantage to progress through to the Last 16.
Continue reading “World-Grand Prix Champ Thornton suffers first-round defeat in Hasselt!”
World Champion Gary Anderson was the latest big-name casualty to depart the World Grand Prix in Dublin, as he was dumped out 3-1 by an inspired Ian White in the last 16 stage.
Anderson hit 12 140’s, 11 180’s and averaged 98, the highest of the tournament so far; yet this simply wasn’t enough against a clinically proficient White.
The 45-year-old from Stoke-on-Trent is now the only remaining Englishman in the tournament; after the likes of Phil Taylor, James Wade and Adrian Lewis all suffered early exits. In tomorrow’s quarter-final, he will take on 2-time major winner Robert Thornton, who whitewashed an off-colour Justin Pipe 3-0 in the opening match of the evening.
Continue reading “World Champion Anderson dumped out in Dublin by an Inspired White!”
Phil Taylor and James Wade both suffered sensational first-round exits at the World Grand Prix in a night of shocks at the Citywest in Dublin.
11-time Grand Prix Champion Taylor was beaten at the first-round stage for the fourth time in his career, as Vincent van der Voort produced one of his finest television performances to record a straight-sets victory over ‘The Power’.
In addition, James Wade was sensationally dumped out by Mensur Suljovic. The former Grand Prix Champion was highly fancied to challenge for the title given his affinity with the tournament and his recent excellent form, but he was outplayed by ‘The Gentle’.
However, the headlines will inevitably go to van der Voort, who secured his first ranking victory over Taylor since 2009. Over such a short format, the top players are always vulnerable in the early rounds and the Dutchman was tremendous throughout.
Continue reading “Taylor and Wade suffer Shock First-Round Exits in Dublin!”
Michael van Gerwen continued his dominance on the European Tour in 2015, whitewashing Justin Pipe 6-0 to win the Dutch Darts Masters in Venray. Roared on by a boisterous home crowd, van Gerwen survived scares against both Mervyn King and Terry Jenkins to secure his fourth European Tour title of the year.
Continue reading “MvG continues European Tour Dominance in Venray!”
One of the most anticipated tournaments on the PDC calendar, the UK Open Finals, gets underway at Minehead this Friday. I love almost every aspect of the event; the random draw, amateur players getting the chance to face the world’s best, and the intense atmosphere created across eight stages of simultaneous darting drama. Michael van Gerwen, Phil Taylor, Gary Anderson and defending Champion Adrian Lewis are the obvious favourites, but the unpredictability caused by the open draw often caters for surprises, with the likes of Mark Walsh, Barrie Bates and Gary Mawson all recent finalists. Which ‘outsiders’ are best placed for an excellent run in Minehead? These are my 6 dark-horses to claim the crown…