DARTS Stars collided, and heavyweight contenders were unceremoniously dispatched as the UK Open fourth round welcomed the sport’s elite before ruthlessly determining their immediate destiny. Some competitors were granted assignments of relative benevolence, while others discovered the draw had delivered something considerably more unforgiving.
With several high-profile encounters pitting decorated arrow-smiths directly against one another, it was inevitable that a number of genuine title aspirants would be extinguished long before the latter stages of the tournament. When the tungsten dust finally settled, only one member of the current Premier League cohort had been eliminated from proceedings. Dutch number one Gian van Veen was the most illustrious casualty on the PDC Order of Merit to fall at the first hurdle.
The merciless open draw paired the youngster against multiple major champion Rob Cross. While Voltage may currently reside outside the world’s top sixteen, his formidable experience, competitive pedigree and explosive scoring power ensure he remains a perilous adversary for anyone brave enough to share the stage with him.
Unfortunately for the reigning European Champion, Cross demonstrated precisely why he has twice lifted that very same trophy. In a contest of exceptional quality, both players soared comfortably beyond the ton average mark, yet it was the former world champion who ultimately prevailed to extinguish van Veen’s Minehead ambitions.
Another colossal confrontation featured two former UK Open champions as Michael van Gerwen clashed with Nathan Aspinall. The Green Machine endured an early wobble, slipping behind 3-1 as Aspinall threatened to seize complete control. Characteristically defiant, The Asp remained doggedly competitive throughout, but van Gerwen gradually reasserted his authority before eventually navigating a tense finale to secure victory.
Elsewhere, neither James Wade nor Chris Dobey would have greeted their opening assignment with any great enthusiasm. On paper the tie appeared fiendishly difficult to predict, and the reality on stage proved every bit as finely balanced. The Aldershot Ace ultimately edged a thrilling contest that ebbed and flowed with dramatic intensity.
Wade, who already possesses three UK Open titles, remains very much in pursuit of a fourth crown – a quest that mirrors van Gerwen’s own ambitions.
Perhaps the most scintillating performance of the evening, however, belonged to Luke Humphries. The world champion produced a display of majestic authority, dismantling Luke Woodhouse with a breathtaking exhibition of scoring and finishing.
Cool Hand delivered a colossal 105.16 average while exhibiting almost surgical precision on the outer ring. His finishing repertoire included several sumptuous ton plus checkouts, the most spectacular of which was a sumptuous 144.Over on the secondary stage, the fortunate spectators were treated to a moment of darting perfection.
Danny Noppert conjured a sublime nine darter to conclude his victory over the struggling Dimitri van den Bergh, a moment of immaculate tungsten artistry that left the Minehead crowd collectively gasping in admiration.The Welsh World Cup winning duo of Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton encountered considerably smoother passage.
Both men negotiated their assignments with comfortable authority, Price dispatching Greg Ritchie while Clayton safely navigated past Alexander Merkx to secure their places in Saturday’s action. There was also a fiercely contested Emerald Isle duel as Josh Rock narrowly edged past Limerick thrower Willie O’Connor, stealing the deciding leg to progress in dramatic fashion.
Among the former UK Open champions beginning their campaigns in this round, fortunes proved somewhat mixed. Peter Wright ensured his journey continued by overcoming fellow Scot Cameron Menzies in a spirited all Scottish encounter.
Is Barney’s Darts Decline Accelerating?
For Raymond van Barneveld, however, the story was far less pleasant. The Dutch legend was emphatically dismantled by the immensely talented Wessel Nijman, whose performance served as a powerful reminder of his burgeoning reputation.Several other well-known names advanced without undue complication.
Stephen Bunting comfortably dismissed French challenger Thibault Tricole, while the Flying Scotsman Gary Anderson – who now resides not far from Minehead – delighted the local crowd by overcoming Dirk van Duijvenbode.
Elsewhere, former PDC major champions Michael Smith, Daryl Gurney, Mike De Decker and Ross Smith all ensured their presence would be required again on Saturday afternoon.In summary, the fourth round delivered intrigue, quality and the occasional moment of brilliance, though nothing that sent seismic shockwaves through the darting world.
Many observers had earmarked Gian van Veen for a deep run in Minehead yet drawing a battle-hardened champion like Rob Cross at the very first opportunity is the sort of assignment capable of derailing even the most promising campaign.And so it proved.
UK OPEN – FOUTH ROUND RESULTS
Danny Noppert 10-4 Dimitri Van den Bergh
Daryl Gurney 10-7 Niels Zonneveld
Dave Chisnall 10-5 Scott Campbell
Darryl Pilgrim 10-5 Connor Scutt
Dominik Gruellich 10-8 Niall Culleton
Gabriel Clemens 10-9 Richard Veenstra
Gary Anderson 10-6 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Gerwyn Price 10-3 Greg Ritchie
James Wade 10-9 Chris Dobey
Jonny Clayton 10-2 Alexander Merkx
Josh Rock 10-9 William O’Connor
Kai Gotthardt 10-8 Tom Sykes
Keane Barry 10-2 Henry Coates
Kevin Doets 10-5 Jeffrey de Graaf
Krzysztof Ratajski 10-4 Ricky Evans
Luke Humphries 10-3 Luke Woodhouse
Luke Littler 10-3 Damon Heta
Madars Razma 10-9 Jim Long
Martin Lukeman 10-6 Ritchie Edhouse
Martin Schindler 10-8 Joe Cullen
Mensur Suljović 10-5 Jermaine Wattimena
Michael Smith 10-8 Leon Weber
Michael van Gerwen 10-8 Nathan Aspinall
Mike De Decker 10-8 Adam Lipscombe
Oskar Lukasiak 10-7 Benjamin Pratnemer
Peter Wright 10-6 Cameron Menzies
Rob Cross 10-7 Gian van Veen
Ross Smith 10-4 Andrew Gilding
Ryan Joyce 10-6 Charlie Manby
Ryan Searle 10-7 Andy Boulton
Stephen Bunting 10-5 Thibault Tricole
Wessel Nijman 10-1 Raymond van Barneveld
—–Ends—–
Images: PDC
