The Cazoo 2023 World Darts Championship Last 16 stage commences on Day 13 with tournament favourite and reigning World Matchplay champion Michael van Gerwen taking on two-time Pro Tour winner Dirk van Duijvenbode.
Mighty Mike fended off a spirited Mensur Suljovic 4-2 in the Third Round, as he averaged 107.66 to beat his Austrian opponent at the Alexandra Palace.
The Dutchman is on the hunt for his fourth World title and has made a statement start after averaging over a ton in his opening two matches of the competition so far.
The Winmau man was forced to withdraw last year as he contracted coronavirus, but this year has put in consistent performances like he’s done all year which has seen him pick up his sixth Premier League and Grand Prix titles.
However, Dirk van Duijvenbode will be his toughest test in the tournament with the Aubergenius coming back from behind to win his opening two matches, as he appears in his second Last 16 match in North London.
The Dutchman came from 2-1 behind to beat Karel Sedlacek in the Second Round, before being involved in one the games of the tournament so far against Ross Smith, as he clinched a 4-3 victory and survived match darts from the reigning European Championship Finals winner.
The match on Thursday afternoon broke the record for most 180s over a seven-set format, with the Michael Smith v Rob Cross clash in the 2018 World Championship the previous best at 29.
Smudger included a record-equalling 19 maximums out of a record-breaking 31 hit over the course of the Third-Round tie but fell to defeat, after numerous missed darts at double.
Van Duijvenbode needed just the one match dart at tops, in the first sudden-death decider of this year’s competition after the last set reached 5-5 at the Alexandra Palace.
The ingredients are all there for a thriller of an encounter and a possible title decider.
Day 13 also sees World Number 5 Luke Humphries face Stephen Bunting, whilst 2018 World Champion Rob Cross opens the action against Chris Dobey live on Sky Sports Darts from 7pm.
Cazoo 2023 World Darts Championship: Day 13
Evening Session Order of Play:
Rob Cross (6) v Chris Dobey (22)
Michael van Gerwen (3) v Dirk van Duijvenbode (14)
Luke Humphries (5) v Stephen Bunting (21)
—–Ends—-
Images: Kieran Cleeves (featured) & PDC
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