Jan 29, 2023 at 3:04 PMUpdate: 4 minutes ago
Danny Noppert was unable to provide a stunt in the quarterfinals of The Masters on Saturday. ‘The Freeze’ lost 10-5 to world champion Michael Smith in Milton Keynes. Dirk van Duijvenbode was also eliminated earlier in the day.
The 32-year-old Noppert started well against Smith, who has also been in first place on the PDC Order of Merit since his world title. The Frisian took a 3-1 lead, but then lost five legs in a row and was unable to come back. He averaged 97.13 per three darts. Smith was well above that with an average of 103.33.
Van Duijvenbode had to admit his superior in Chris Dobey. The first eight legs were still tied (4-4), but then Dobey walked away. The number thirteen on the PDC Order of Merit won only one more leg against Dobey, who is eight places lower, and lost 10-5.
Van Duijvenbode, who recorded an average of 94.58, had caused a stunt on Saturday by beating Gerwyn Price in the second round. In the first round Van Duijvenbode was too strong for the Pole Krzysztof Ratajski.
Michael van Gerwen is the only Dutchman who can still hope for a place in the semi-finals. ‘Mighty Mike’ will play against Rob Cross later in the afternoon. The other quarterfinal is between Peter Wright and Jonny Clayton.
The semi-finals and final of The Masters are scheduled for Sunday evening. Defending champion Joe Cullen was already eliminated in the first round by Dobey on Friday.
Jan 28, 2023 at 9:06 PM
Van Duijvenbode beats Price, Van Gerwen also to the quarterfinals at The Masters
Beeld: Getty Images
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Michael van GerwenMastersDartsDanny NoppertDirk van Duijvenbode