With so many of the sport’s heavyweight contenders still standing tall in this year’s UK Open, the sixth-round draw was always destined to deliver another collection of scintillating encounters. Predictably, it did not disappoint.
If Luke Littler is to retain his Minehead crown, he must first navigate past one of the most revered figures the sport has ever produced. Waiting for The Nuke is the legendary Gary Anderson, who has been throwing with majestic authority throughout the weekend, repeatedly producing averages comfortably north of the ton mark.
Littler will know that his narrow victory over Kevin Doets, while sufficient, will require a significant elevation in intensity if he wishes to remain on course to lift the trophy once again tomorrow evening.
Another colossal confrontation sees two titanic figures of the modern era collide. Between them, Michael van Gerwen and James Wade possess six UK Open titles, a statistic that perfectly illustrates their historical dominance in this particular tournament. Later this evening the Dutch colossus and the Aldershot stalwart will renew their rivalry, with the victor moving one step closer to claiming an unprecedented fourth triumph in this prestigious event.
For Luke Humphries, the draw has delivered a particularly stern examination in the form of Danny Noppert. The reigning Premier League champion has looked imperiously sharp since arriving in Somerset, producing performances brimming with authority and clinical precision. Noppert, however, remains one of the most composed and methodical competitors on the circuit.
Remarkably, The Freeze produced a sublime nine dart leg earlier in the tournament despite battling illness throughout the weekend. This meeting possesses all the hallmarks of a genuine classic.Elsewhere, the draw has also produced an all Premier League confrontation as Stephen Bunting faces Josh Rock in what promises to be an explosive encounter between two of the circuit’s most prolific scorers.
The Welsh heavy hitters, meanwhile, will have greeted the draw with a degree of quiet satisfaction. Gerwyn Price has been paired with Ireland’s Keane Barry, while Jonny Clayton meets Martin Lukeman as both Welshmen attempt to continue their respective Minehead campaigns.
With such an abundance of elite talent still assembled beneath the Somerset lights, spectators can expect yet another evening of pulsating, high calibre tungsten theatre. The road to Sunday’s silverware continues to narrow, but the drama is only just beginning.
UK OPEN – SIXTH ROUND DRAW
Gary Anderson v Luke Littler
Daryl Gurney v Rob Cross
Martin Lukeman v Jonny Clayton
Gerwyn Price v Keane Barry
Michael van Gerwen v James Wade
Stephen Bunting v Josh Rock
Luke Humphries v Danny Noppert
Ryan Searle v Krzysztof Ratajski
—-Ends—–
Images:PDC
