The penultimate session of the PDC World Darts Championship round three saw the big names take to the Alexandra Palace stage. Two of the top three favourites for the tournament were in action with high expectations weighing on their shoulders. No upsets, but it was a good showcase of talent. A bid to prove that they have what it takes to go all the way.
MATCH 1: Gian van Veen v Madars Razma
As the third favourite to lift the Sid Waddell trophy, Gian van Veen was expected to see off Latvian number one, Madars Razma. What looked like business as usual, van Veen put in a giant performance but was annoyed with himself, after one set which saw him dip below his top standards. A 4-1 win sees him into the next round.
It was a competitive start to the game as both players held their throw as Razma checked out a 109 in the second leg. Van Veen broke the throw of the Latvian number in the fourth, as Razma missed double tops, which opened the door to his opponent.
The second set was almost a replica of the first as van Veen picked up the scoring. The Latvian broke the throw of the Dutchman in the second leg but his hard work was undone as van Veen broke straight back. Van Veen asserted his dominance up to this stage, by finishing with a 13-dart leg.
Van Veen tightened his grip winning five legs on the spin to easily take set three. Averaging above 100, ‘The Giant’ kept growing larger after each set.
Razma had the darts for the fourth set and was able to stop the rot by holding throw in the first leg. He backed it up with a second leg through a break of throw ,as van Veen eased off his game slightly with his worst set average of the game (84.27). However, take nothing away from Razma’s razzmatazz as he averaged just under 94 and looked confident on his doubles, winning all three legs and remaining in the game.
For the first time this tournament, van Veen appeared to be annoyed at himself going into the fifth set. This seemed to force himself to pick his performance as he averaged 102.48 and checked out with a 125 to seal the game.
Result: Gian van Veen 4-1 Madars Razma
MATCH 2: Luke Humphries v Gabriel Clemens
Former World Champion, and world number two, Luke Humphries was the headline act in match two as Gabriel Clemens was the gentle giant in his way. This game was supposed to solely be about Luke Humphries continuing to breeze through the tournament, but Clements fire power increased as the match went on and nearly mounted a comeback from 3-0 down. There were spells of brilliance tonight from Humphries as he avoided a potential upset, winning the game 4-2. His best is still to come.
The German opened proceedings with a 16-dart hold of throw. Humphries was as consistent as ever, putting in a high double success rate and winning the first set 3-1 though a break of throw in the third leg.
A 101 checkout was the starting statement of intent from Humpries in set two, as he held the darts. Again, Humphries punished Clemens following missed doubles to break throw and win it 3-1.
A double bullseye from Clemens to claim the 121, was the first showpiece of the match in set three. The ‘Gentle Giant’ then continued his brilliance to put in a 13-dart leg to break the Humphries throw. But cool hand by name, cool hand by nature, Humphries leisurely chucked in a 12-dart leg to break straight back, and win the set.
Clemens showed of his second showpiece in the first leg of set four and put in a slightly less impressive 125 checkout, which only included the one bullseye this time. The German put in the set of his life, with a 115.62 average, as Clemens marched to a 3-0 set win, to deny Humphries a fourth set whitewash.
BIG FISH ALERT! Humphries produced the goods with a 170 checkout but it wasn’t a break of throw, as Clemens continued in his peak of form .
Five missed darts at double ten in set five, showed that the heat was possibly getting to the world number two. Clemens was the first to break throw but squandered three missed darts to take the set which allowed Humphries to break back. There was no room for error as Clemens kept pace with ‘Cool Hand’ in the deciding leg, but with 12-darts Humphries was able to quash any potential slip-ups and win the match
Checkout success percentages of 50 plus for both players, reflects the quality shown throughout the game. Humphries will play the winner of tomorrow’s game between Nathan Aspinall and Kevin Doets.
Result: Luke Humphries 4-2 Gabriel Clemens
MATCH 3: Michael van Gerwen v Arno Merk
‘Mighty Mike’ looked mighty once again, as his signature walk on was lapped up by the Ally Pally crowd. The performance matched the entrance as he walked away unscathed with an impressive 103.85 average and a 50% double success rate.
Van Gerwen broke Merk’s throw on the first time of asking. A 13-dart leg soon followed, which saw the match produce its first of 23 180s (16 versus seven in MVG’s favour).
The German debutant was unable to pick up a leg in the second set as MVG was ruthless with his checkouts. No charity was offered by the Dutchman as he continued to score high, as he looked as if he was simply going through the motions.
Arno Merk was on fire in set three, opening with a 145 checkout MVG game back with an 11-dart leg but Merk continued to hold throw with a 120 checkout. Van Gerwen missed double 16 as Merk pounced on the opportunity and completed a 15-dart leg to make the game 2-1.
Sets four and five seemed more comfortable for ‘The Green Machine’ as he won both 3-1. With an immediate break of throw from Van Gerwen in set five, Merk couldn’t recreate the magic he found in set three as he found the mountain of challenging Van Gerwen just to steep to climb. With two 13-darters and a 14-darter, MVG looked like his old self again to win his fourth set.
The tasty prospect of two time World Champion, and familiar foe, Gary Anderson awaits ‘Mighty Mike’ on Sunday 30th.
Result: Michael van Gerwen 4-1 Arno Merk