World Championship outsider Wessel Nijman through sudden-death leg in the nick of time

Wessel Nijman was close to defeat in the World Darts Championships. The Dutchman had to give his all to defeat his strong rival Cameron Carolissen. This was achieved only after the decisive match.

This was only Nijman’s second participation in the World Championships, but the expectations were huge. Due to his form on the 2024 tour and his good fortune on paper, Nijman was listed by the bookmakers as seventh to become world champion at Alexandra Palace.

The first set ended 3-0 for Nijman, who opened the match with a score of 139 in the first game. Then an 18-darter and a 19-darter were enough to get another two legs.

Nijman came closer to victory when he also won the second set. In the first game of the second set he threw another 21-darter, but then Nijman was strong in his own legs and won the second set 3-2 with two 13-darters.

In the third set, Nijman missed four chances in the third game to make it 1-1. Carolissen then went up 2-0 with a double 6 and then managed to win the set with a 14-darter. Nijman then secured victory in the fourth set, scoring 115 points to make it 2-1. However, Carolissen responded by rolling 61 to force a fifth game. Nijman failed to win a set over six rounds at this stage before Carolissen recorded a 17-darter in the final set.

Carolissen started the fifth set strongly, finishing with 61 to Nijman’s 71. Nijman then shot himself 15 darts, after which Carolissen shot 62 darts and was one step away from a sensational victory. Nijman refused to let himself get out of the way and secured the sudden death leg with an 11-darter.

It was Carolissen who started the last match, and the South African did very well, scoring 123 points. However, Nijman showed up with a score of 180. After nine shots, Nijman was already at 85 and finally narrowly won the match with a 14-darter. Nijman will face Joe Cullen in the next round.