The last day of pre-Christmas darting action at the Cazoo 2023 World Darts Championship, sees the introduction of former Premier League champion Jonny Clayton.
Clayton opens his account against Danny van Trijp on Friday night at the Alexandra Palace.
The Ferret hasn’t lived up to his incredible standards this year as he did in 2021 where he won the Premier League, the Masters and the Grand Prix. The Red Dragon star conquered in Leicester beating compatriot Gerwyn Price 5-1 in the Final, a destruction job on a man who at the time was the reigning World Champion.
Clayton hasn’t claimed a major title in 2022 but finished top of the Premier League table after 16 night played. The Welshman was the only player to win four of the mini knockout tournaments, including a Scotland double picking up £10,000 in Glasgow and Aberdeen following the introduction of the new format.
The Pontyberem man is ranked as the tournament number 7 seed, so will run into the winner of Nathan Aspinall and Josh Rock in the L16 should he make it past his first two matches on the world stage.
However, Clayton has a player in Danny van Trijp who he must beat on Friday with the Dutchman including a nine-dart leg this year in the MODUS Online Live League. The 25-year-old on his debut comfortably came out a 3-0 winner over the legendary Steve Beaton, who was appearing in his 31st consecutive World Championship.
The Ferret was involved in one of the games of last year’s competition, falling to a last set defeat at the hands of eventual Runner Up Michael Smith, losing 4-3 in the Last 16 in North London.
The Red Dragon certainly has the quality to get his hands on the Sid Waddell Trophy, proving that he can beat the world’s very best after he came top of a Premier League table that included Michael van Gerwen, Peter Wright and Gerwyn Price.
Friday’s evening session also sees the introduction of reigning UK Open champion Danny Noppert who faces Senior Masters champion David Cameron, whilst Premier League finalist Joe Cullen wraps up the Second-Round action as he faces Ricky Evans at the Alexandra Palace.
Cazoo 2023 World Darts Championship
Day 9: Evening Session Order of Play
Martin Schindler (29) v Martin Lukeman
Danny Noppert (9) v David Cameron
Jonny Clayton (7) v Danny van Trijp
Joe Cullen (13) v Ricky Evans
—–ENDS—-
