Following the emotional intensity of the World Cup of Darts, there was scarcely an opportunity to draw breath before attention shifted towards this week’s Players Championship double-header in Wigan. Such is the relentless cadence of modern professional darts that, for a significant proportion of those involved in Frankfurt, fewer than 48 hours separated the conclusion of national duty from a return to the unforgiving Pro Tour.
Consequently, it proved fascinating to assess the fortunes of those who had represented their respective nations in Germany, particularly given the physical and psychological demands associated with such a rapid transition.
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Netherland’s Dirk van Duijvenbode was better rested than some and impressed again in a run to the quarter final. The Dutchman’s return to form has been slow and steady, since injury, but recent weeks and months have seen multiple strong Pro Tour runs, including a final and now two last 8 places in quick succession. Many will hope to see the Aubergenius return to his very best in short order.
Another among those who emerged from Robin Park with considerable credit was Czechia’s talismanic captain, Karel Sedlacek (below). The affable thrower, affectionately known as Evil Charlie, produced an encouraging display to advance to the last 16 before eventually succumbing to another man whose weekend had also been occupied in Frankfurt, and who later halted Dirk van Duijvenbode at the semi-final stage, Jonny Clayton.
Karel’s renaissance since reclaiming his Tour Card has been nothing short of commendable. Having already registered a pair of semi-final appearances earlier in the campaign, the Czech star has demonstrated a level of consistency and competitive resilience that had previously eluded him.
More recently, however, his floor exploits had undergone something of a stagnation, with nine consecutive Players Championship appearances yielding no progress beyond the second round, a rather uncharacteristic sequence stretching back to the closing stages of April. Consequently, his performance in Wigan represented a timely and much-needed resurgence.
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Another player whose trajectory continues to point emphatically skywards is Jeffrey de Graaf. The Dutch-born Swede has been one of the circuit’s most conspicuous improvers and, having already annexed Players Championship silverware this season, appears increasingly capable of augmenting his title collection further.
Unfortunately for de Graaf, his latest adventure also concluded at the last 16 stage. Like Sedlacek, he found himself on the wrong side of a deciding-leg encounter, with the imposing Ryan Searle ultimately administering the decisive blow.
Nevertheless, perspective remains overwhelmingly positive. Across his previous five events, de Graaf has reached three board finals, converted one of those appearances into a title and continued to exhibit the sort of consistency synonymous with upward mobility. Judging by his recent performances, the Scandinavian representative appears to be travelling in an exceedingly auspicious direction.
Images: PDC
