Another former World Matchplay champion sensationally crashed out of the tournament as Peter Wright became the latest ex-winner to fall victim to this year’s growing trend – the so-called “curse of the champions.”
The other recurring theme at the Winter Gardens this summer? Dutch victories.
Jermaine Wattimena became the latest to book his spot in round two – though he made hard work of it, eventually stumbling over the line 10–8.
Leading 6–2 and seemingly cruising, Wattimena may have allowed the thought to creep in: “I’ve never actually won a match here before.”
That knowledge must have echoed somewhere in the back of his mind – because back roared the highly decorated Snakebite, clawing his way back to level things at 8–8.
Wright, who had been schooling the Dutchman on double-hitting for much of the contest, uncharacteristically missed a golden chance to take the lead. That proved the turning point. Wattimena stole the leg and then clung on for a narrow – but hugely significant – victory.
The Machine Gun has finally got that elusive Blackpool win on the board, and he’ll now have to wait until Wednesday for his first ever last-16 appearance on the Winter Gardens stage.
By the end of tonight, he’ll know who he’s facing – either teenage sensation Luke Littler or the ever-dangerous Ryan Searle.
Regardless of opponent, one thing’s certain: the Dutch darting summer rolls on.
—–Ends—–
Images: T Lanning / PDC
