Sixteen Dutch players took part in this year’s Darts World Championships. Expectations were therefore high, but only three Dutch players managed to qualify for the third round and can therefore continue to play at Alexandra Palace after the Christmas break.
Just Michael van Gerwen, Jermaine Watttimena AND Kevin Doets The Dutch team managed to qualify for the third round of the World Darts Championship. “It really surprised me, it’s true. As a top-32 player, I think you owe it to your position to get to the third round. There were five of them. Besides, with some players you hope for more form, but it’s a bit of a trend of the year: a lot of surprises,” said Vincent van der Voort AD.nl.
Players from the top 32 world rankings who did not qualify for the third round include Danny Noppert, Dirk van Duijvenbode, Gian van Veen and Raymond van Barneveld.
Since 2019, 96 players have completed the World Darts Championship, and only in 2020 only three Dutch players (Van Gerwen, Noppert and Jeffrey de Zwaan) also managed to qualify for the third round.
However, the Dutch also have positive sides. With several seeds eliminated, the semi-final draw appears to be open for Van Gerwen. After Dolan in the third round, the fourth round could be followed by a fight against Jeffrey de Graaf or Paolo Nebrida, and possibly Dimitri Van den Bergh, whom Van Gerwen has never lost to before, in the quarter-finals.
Jermaine Wattimena is one of three Dutch players still competing in the Darts World Cup
“But you really shouldn’t think ‘what a beautiful draw’ because he’s definitely not in that form,” warned Vincent van der Voort. “He really has to watch his defense game by game. Firstly Dolan and he certainly shouldn’t underestimate him as Michael lost to him last year at the World Matchplay and Dolan won against Gerwyn Price and Anderson at the World Championship last year. Similarly, it is not that Michael was so sovereign in his first match that he can already overtake Dolan. Last year against Scott Williams I also thought he would never lose….”
In addition to Van Gerwen, Doets and Wattimana will also be in action after Christmas. Doets, who caused a huge shock earlier at this World Championships by eliminating Michael Smith, will face Krzysztof Ratajski. Wattimen, who sent James Wade home in the previous round, meets Peter Wright.
