The Dutch dominance at this year’s World Matchplay shows no sign of slowing, as Dirk van Duijvenbode continued the tournament’s miserable trend for anyone who’s previously lifted the trophy.
Following the early exits of the last two champions, it looked like 2019 winner Rob Cross might finally stop the rot. He raced into a 6–2 lead, looking every bit his usual cool, calm, and unflustered self. Then, quite suddenly, The Titan clicked into gear.
The 180s began to flow, the energy levels surged, and the man from the Netherlands reeled off four legs on the bounce to level things at 6–6. Game on.The pivotal moment came when Dirk broke the Cross throw to move 8–7 ahead – a break that proved decisive.
What followed may not go down in the archives for sheer quality, but at that stage it was all about composure – and finding a double. That man was Van Duijvenbode, who held his nerve in a scrappy finish to complete a fantastic turnaround and knock out a genuine contender in Cross.
The Aubergenius marches on, and after a couple of days’ rest, he’ll return to face Mr Goldfinger himself – Andrew Gilding – in what promises to be another brilliantly unpredictable chapter in this wildly entertaining Dutch campaign.
—–Ends—–
Images: Taylor Lanning / PDC
