Nathan Aspinall became the latest name to win the Phil Taylor trophy after beating Jonny Clayton 18-6 in the Final of the 2023 Betfred World Matchplay.
The ASP claims £200,000 in prize money after winning his second PDC Major Title, moving up to 5th in the world rankings.
“It’s an amazing feeling. I’m so happy for me and my family and so proud of myself. I did so well to keep it at 5-5. I was doing Jonny Clayton things! I was taking out those three-dart combinations and that kept me in the game.”
The match started with five consecutive holds of throw as both players looked to settle any nerves on the Blackpool stage, with the Stockport man including a 110 finish on double 18 in the opening leg.
The Englishman instantly broke in the 2nd mini session with a 108 finish, but still went in after 10 legs at 5-5.
The Ferret produced a clinical ton plus checkout that he’s shown throughout the whole tournament he’s certainly capable of, having hit double 12 to finish 141 in the 7th leg.
Aspinall began to put his foot down as he claimed the third session without reply from his opponent, breaking throw twice as he became the first player to hit double digits in relation to legs won.
“I think that third session was the key. I don’t know what it was, but then I suddenly found my scoring, and I finished brilliantly all game.”
The ASP included a 170 finish to claim the UK Open crown back in 2019 where he beat Rob Cross 11-5, and he repeated the trick in Blackpool.
Nathan moved into an 11-5 lead with his first bullseye finish of the 2023 World Matchplay, going within 7 legs of his first Winter Gardens title.
The 32-year-old went in at 15-5 as he continued to give the Ferret no room for error in the Final, breaking again with a ton plus checkout as he hit 115 to win the 18th leg.
Clayton stopped what was an 11-leg winning run from Aspinall on double 5, with only Phil Taylor the other player to have achieved the same feat in a major Final.
The Englishman wrapped up victory after hitting the same double with his last dart in hand, as he became the 12th winner of the World Matchplay in the 30th staging of the competition.
“I think for those ten legs, my scoring was up there with the best I’ve ever scored and that was the telling factor tonight.”
A fantastic performance from Nathan Aspinall as he became a 2-time Major Champion at the Winter Gardens, ending a 4 year wait for success in the PDC.
2023 Betfred World Matchplay Final:
Nathan Aspinall (9) 18-6 Jonny Clayton (7)
——ENDS—–
Images: Taylor Lanning /PDC
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