Aileen de Graaf beats defending champion Suzuki at Lakeside

Wim Blokpoel - Yesterday 2 Dutch players played their last 16 games at the 2022 WDF World Championship at Lakeside. 2 Dutch players in the quarter-finals already, and 2 more couod join them.

Ryan de Vreede played his last 16 game against WDF number one James Hurrell. De Vreede managed to win the first leg, but missed doubles cost him the next legs and eventually the set as he lost it 1-3. A set later it was 2-2 in legs, and one double missed at double 20 cost De Vreede again, as Hurrell hit a 15-darter to lead 2-0 in sets. In set 3 De Vreede won fhe opening leg for the third time in a row, but Hurrell then hit a 13-darter, 18-darter and ended the game with a 16-darter as it was a big 0-3 defeat for Ryan de Vreede. Still a great tournament for him, with his best run ever in a World Championship.

Ryan de Vreede 0-3 James Hurrell (1-3, 2-3, 1-3)

Averages:

Ryan de Vreede. 86,0

James Hurrell. 89,9

In the evening session, Aileen de Graaf finally played her first game, in the last 16 against defending two time champion Mikuru Suzuki from Japan. In set 1 De Graaf won the first leg, but she didn’t settle down yet, as Suzuki won the set comfortably 3-1 in legs without playing her A-game. In set 2 however, De Graaf woke up and started with a 16-darter. Suzuki still wasn’t there, as De Graaf easily won set 2 3-0 in legs. A deciding set, and Aileen had the darts. She started with a 16-darter again, and Suzuki missed doubled in the next legs which were punished by De Graaf, as she won 3-0 in legs again for a 2-1 win over defending champion Suzuki!! Into the quarter-finals, Aileen plays Beau Greaves tonight!

Aileen de Graaf 2-1 Mikuru Suzuki (1-3, 3-0, 3-0)

Averages:

Aileen de Graaf. 76,5

Mikuru Suzuki. 69,9