Dimitri Van den Bergh lit up the Betfred World Matchplay with a sensational nine-darter on Sunday, while former champion Peter Wright crashed out on Day Two at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.
Despite Wright’s exit, Van den Bergh was one of three World Matchplay champions to triumph during a marathon day of darts at the Empress Ballroom. Rob Cross and James Wade also advanced to the second round.
The Belgian stole the headlines with his 10-6 win over Martin Schindler, becoming the eighth player to produce a perfect leg in the history of the World Matchplay. The 2020 champion achieved perfection in leg seven on his way to establishing a 6-3 lead. Schindler rallied to level at six apiece, but Van den Bergh won the next four legs to cap off a memorable afternoon.
“I’m in disbelief! I’m so proud of myself,” reflected Van den Bergh, the fourth former champion to hit a nine-darter in the event, alongside Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, and Gary Anderson. “I always give 100 percent. I play with my heart and soul and never give up. I want to be a winner and make everyone proud. This is my life; this is why I live!”
Rob Cross, the World Matchplay winner in 2019, survived six missed match darts to win a sudden-death epic against debutant Gian van Veen, who landed 90, 126, 167, and 170 finishes on the bull. Van Veen reeled off five consecutive legs from 8-4 down to threaten a remarkable turnaround, but after failing to close out the win, Cross capitalized by firing in an 11-dart hold to seal a 13-12 success.
“Credit to Gian – he was fantastic tonight,” said Cross, who averaged 100.42 to keep his title hopes alive. “I believe I can win this again. I’ve had a nice three weeks off and feel refreshed. I was a bit rusty up there, but after coming through that, I feel great. I’m enjoying my darts, and when it’s all going for me, I don’t think there’s another player in this tournament that can beat me.”
However, 2021 winner Wright was dumped out by former UK Open champion Andrew Gilding, who put in a fine performance to celebrate his first win at the World Matchplay since 2015. Gilding, beaten 10-4 by Wright at the same stage last year, turned the tables, punishing a profligate display from Wright to move through to a tie against Krzysztof Ratajski.
Ratajski, a semi-finalist in 2021, stormed through to the last 16 with a 10-2 thumping of Dave Chisnall, racing into a 7-0 lead before sealing the deal via double two. Stephen Bunting won a thrilling tie-break against Ryan Joyce to book a second-round showdown against top seed Luke Humphries. Bunting led 8-5 before Joyce produced back-to-back 121 and 167 checkouts to level at eight apiece, but a sensational 164 from Bunting turned the tide as he ran out a 12-10 winner.
“I’m so happy to get over the line,” admitted Bunting, a quarter-finalist back in 2019. “I went through so many emotions in that game. There were times I felt I could just place them in the treble, and other times I felt I was throwing with my wrong hand! I can’t wait for the game against Luke. He was fantastic in his first game, but who doesn’t look forward to playing the best players in the world?”
Sunday’s opening game saw Ross Smith produce a finishing masterclass to dispatch Josh Rock, pinning ten of his 14 attempts at double to clinch his first win on this iconic stage. The former European Champion converted consecutive 160 and 120 finishes to wrap up a 10-4 victory, setting up a second-round tie against 2022 runner-up Gerwyn Price.
Danny Noppert became the first seed to exit this year’s event after 2007 champion Wade defied the Dutchman’s fightback to mark his 19th consecutive World Matchplay appearance with a 10-5 win. Meanwhile, 2023 semi-finalist Joe Cullen posted a ton-topping average in his 10-4 demolition of Brendan Dolan, following up a brace of 11-darters with 117 and 130 outshots in the closing stages.
The first round will conclude with a bumper evening session on Monday, featuring a show-stopping clash between three-time champion Michael van Gerwen and debutant Luke Littler. Other matchups include world number three Michael Smith versus 2018 champion Gary Anderson, Australian number one Damon Heta against Ryan Searle, and 2023 Masters champion Chris Dobey against Ritchie Edhouse.
The Betfred World Matchplay is broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK, through the PDC’s worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV (excluding UK, Germany, Austria & Switzerland based subscribers).
2024 Betfred World Matchplay
Sunday, July 14
Afternoon Session – First Round x4
Ross Smith 10-4 Josh Rock
James Wade 10-5 Danny Noppert
Dimitri Van den Bergh 10-6 Martin Schindler (Nine-Dart Finish!)
Stephen Bunting 12-10 Ryan Joyce
Evening Session – First Round x4
Rob Cross 13-12 Gian van Veen
Joe Cullen 10-4 Brendan Dolan
Andrew Gilding 10-5 Peter Wright
Krzysztof Ratajski 10-2 Dave Chisnall
Monday, July 15 (1900 BST) – First Round x4
Damon Heta vs. Ryan Searle
Michael Smith vs. Gary Anderson
Michael van Gerwen vs. Luke Littler
Chris Dobey vs. Ritchie Edhouse
Best of 19 legs
