Jeffrey de Graaf advances to the third round after ejecting Gary Anderson at the 2025 event PDC World Darts Championships in straight sets on a night full of shocks.
It was a shock not only for the viewers, but also for De Graaf, who had designated Anderson as his idol and that he himself did not expect that he would have a chance.
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“It’s a dream come true. He’s been my idol since I was 14. What he is capable of is unbelievable. He didn’t really show up today, I got my chances and I took them immediately. I’m very happy with this victory,” De Graaf said after the match.
“I felt like that was the part I had to show (in doubles) because I know if there’s shooting involved, I can’t follow him. So if I get a chance, it’ll probably be through doubles, so I thought, I’ve been practicing this all evening.”
He also talked about Nebrida’s win and said he never expected Smith wouldn’t come back.
“I saw he (Ross Smith) lost, but I still felt he would come back. When he lost, I didn’t expect it to happen either.”
However, he also said that he did not expect to win against Anderson. “It’s beating an idol on this stage. When I was at Target they asked me who would you like to meet (at the game), most people said Phil Taylor. I knew that was no longer an option. Gary Anderson for me is the most important match of my life.”
“Even I didn’t expect to win, so I felt like we were playing our own game, playing our own game and making it a tight game.”
“It’s an opportunity. Ross Smith beat me in Grand Slam qualifying. He’s out. There’s a chance, but Nebrida is here after Christmas. So I have to play my A game to beat him.”
