World Sequence of Darts Finals: Michael van Gerwen, Luke Humphries, Rob Cross into spherical two as Stephen Bunting exits | Darts Information
Michael van Gerwen arrange a second-round showdown with Rob Cross on the World Sequence of Darts Finals after edging Wessel Nijman in an exciting first-round conflict in Amsterdam.
Van Gerwen, chasing a record-extending sixth title, overcame a spirited Nijman in a last-leg decider.
Nijman led 2-0, 3-1 and 5-4, however Van Gerwen produced a surprising 132 end on the bull and survived a match dart earlier than sealing victory with a 174 set-up and double 18, averaging 104.75.
“Wessel is a good participant, and his cowl taking pictures was phenomenal,” mentioned Van Gerwen. “I felt nice the entire recreation. This was certainly one of my greatest performances in Holland for a very long time.”
Luke Humphries additionally survived two match darts to defeat 2018 champion James Wade in one other tense affair.
World No 1 Humphries averaged 99 and fired in legs of 14 and 13 darts to overturn a 5-4 deficit.
“It was an odd efficiency,” admitted Humphries. “One minute it was nice, the subsequent poor. I am working my approach again into type and I am happy to win.”
High seed Stephen Bunting was despatched packing by Dutch No 2 Danny Noppert, who now faces World Cup champion Josh Rock.
Noppert received 6-4, whereas Rock sealed a 6-3 win over Krzysztof Ratajski with a 121 bullseye checkout.
Cross made a profitable return to the Netherlands, defeating New Zealand’s Haupai Puha 6-3 with a 60 per cent double success fee.
Cross lifted the Dutch Darts Masters title in Den Bosch earlier this 12 months.
Australian No 1 Damon Heta and World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker will meet in spherical two after beating Joe Cullen and Gabriel Clemens respectively.
Heta cruised to a 6-1 win, whereas De Decker overcame Clemens 6-3, regardless of the German lacking double 12 for a nine-darter.
Kevin Doets opened the night with a slender win over Jermaine Wattimena, surviving 4 match darts to earn a Saturday night time conflict with Humphries.
Friday’s night session
First-round outcomes
- Kevin Doets 6-5 Jermaine Wattimena
- Krzysztof Ratajski 3-6 Josh Rock
- Damon Heta 6-1 Joe Cullen
- Mike De Decker 6-3 Gabriel Clemens
- Luke Humphries 6-5 James Wade
- Wessel Nijman 5-6 Michael van Gerwen
- Stephen Bunting 4-6 Danny Noppert
- Rob Cross 6-3 Haupai Puha
Spherical One concludes Saturday afternoon, with reigning champion Luke Littler dealing with Simon Whitlock.
Former winners Gerwyn Worth and Jonny Clayton meet American duo Danny Lauby and Jason Brandon, whereas Raymond van Barneveld takes on Norway’s Cor Dekker.
Nathan Aspinall, Chris Dobey, Ross Smith, Peter Wright and Cameron Menzies additionally enter the fray earlier than the second spherical unfolds Saturday night, adopted by Sunday’s quarter-finals, semis and last.
Saturday’s afternoon session
First spherical (better of 11 legs) – from 11.45am
- Chris Dobey vs Luke Woodhouse
- Cameron Menzies vs Peter Wright
- Jonny Tata vs Ross Smith
- Cor Dekker vs Raymond van Barneveld
- Gerwyn Worth vs Danny Lauby
- Luke Littler vs Simon Whitlock
- Jonny Clayton vs Jason Brandon
- Nathan Aspinall vs Dave Chisnall
Confirmed second-round ties
- Luke Humphries vs Kevin Doets
- Danny Noppert vs Josh Rock
- Mike De Decker vs Damon Heta
- Rob Cross vs Michael van Gerwen
Dwell darts is again on Sky Sports activities from October 6-12 because the BoyleSports World Grand Prix is held in Leicester.
