By Luca Jarman
Round 2 of the World Championships is well underway with some tough matchups. Two more seeds concede defeat whilst former World Champion looks to build a deep run after a disappointing year.
MATCH 1: Ryan Joyce (24) vs Krzysztof Ratajski
This promised an exciting matchup between two tidy players. Ratajski simply put in a better performance on the day and earned the upper hand. Joyce won the first leg but wasn’t able to get down to a finish for the rest of the set. ‘The Polish Eagle’s quality was unwavering, winning the first two sets in similar fashion.
He let himself down in the third set with poor finishing, allowing Joyce to capitalise. Always reliable, Joyce needed just four darts on the double to win those three legs.
The Pole got back to winning ways in the final set to take the game. He enjoyed a three-dart average of 93.91, the highest of the session.
Result: Joyce 1 Ratajski 3
MATCH 2: Joe Cullen (32) vs Mensur Suljovic
Cullen was in the driving seat in the early parts of the game. He won the first five legs on the bounce putting him in prime position to steam ahead with two sets to the good. He even managed to hit the seventh big fish finish of the tournament.
But after he missed set darts, Suljovic fought back and won three legs himself to level the game at one set apiece. It wasn’t all smooth sailing for ‘The Gentle’ from there, however. He had to claw back from two legs down again in the third set and battle through a topsy turvy final set.
Cullen missed another two darts for the set and the Austrian was able to emerge victorious. He simply didn’t give up, ending the game with an average of 81.95 , nearly five lower than Cullen’s 86.53. ‘The Rockstar’ was visibly frustrated with his opponent’s slow pace.
The aftermath has sparked conversation as Joe Cullen went to social media to accuse his opponent of cheating throughout the game.
Result: Cullen 1 Suljovic 3
MATCH 3: Luke Woodhouse (25) vs Max Hopp
Woodhouse breezed through his first two sets undisputed. His finishing was awkward at times, but he bought himself time and space with powerful scoring. Max Hopp simply couldn’t keep up.
The German offered a little more in the final set and managed to steal a leg. But a win for Woodhouse was never in doubt.
The Englishman will go on to play Andrew Gilding in Round 3, who toppled 8th seed Chris Dobey last night.
Result: Woodhouse 3 Hopp 0
MATCH 4: Rob Cross (17) vs Ian White
The match started well with a lively opening leg from Rob Cross, which was countered by a stunning 167 finish from White in the next. The former World Champion looked to be on it after a tough year and won the first set 3-1.
He seemed to lose his grip on the game as ‘The Diamond’ dominated the second set, winning all three legs. But the final break came at the right time for him as the game flipped on its head again. ‘The Voltage’ was emphatic in taking the lead with no reply in the third set.
The final set was much closer, coming down to a deciding leg. Cross used the bull to take out 82 for the match.
It was a fascinating and very balanced game overall between two PDC mainstays.
Result: Cross 3 White 1