MVG wins in absolute thriller, Noppert goes out

Wim Blokpoel - Today the 2021 PDC World Darts Championship continued. The evening session included two Dutchman. First of all we had a last 32 match with former BDO World Championship Finalist Danny Noppert, who now has his new nickname ‘The Freezer’ and he played against Dave ‘Chizzy’ Chisnall. Danny started a very good set which he won 3-0 in legs and got 1-0 up in sets. This was followed by another amazing set which Danny won 3-0 again with two 120-finishes as well. Danny was averaging well over the ton and everything looked fine. However, the set after it went the opposite way as Chisnall won that one 3-0. Danny didn’t play as good as he did in the start, and soon it was 2-2 in sets again. We hoped Danny would come back after the commercial break, but unfortunately Chisnall won the next set as well and got 3-2 up. Danny seemed frustrated, lost the next set 0-3 and it ended 2-4 for Dave Chisnall. Danny’s hopes for a first PDC World Championship last 16 place are over.

Stats:

Danny Noppert (88.70) 2-4 Dave Chisnall (99,69)

Sets: 3-0, 3-0, 0-3, 1-3, 1-3, 0-3)

Fortunately, we had another Dutchman on, in the final match of the evening. As first Dutchman in the last 16, Michael van Gerwen took on ‘The Rockstar’ Joe Cullen. The first set seemed to go Cullen’s way who starter great, however after a miscount from Russ Bray MVG got back into the set. It didn’t matter though as Cullen won the final leg and went 1-0 up in sets. In set 2 Cullen almost made 2-0, but MVG took his chances and fought back to 1-1 in sets. Cullen however threw absolutely incredibly, hit a magnificent amount of 180’s and won another set: 2-1. Both players were averaging above the ton and MVG got 2 chances to make it 2-2. However, he missed both and while Cullen was throwing the match of his life, he won this set as well: 3-1 Cullen, MVG in danger! After the break, both soon started to get going again. This time MVg did take his chances and soon it was 3-2. Joe Cullen meanwhile broke the record of 180’s hit in the last 16 of the PDC World Championship, it was not enough though as he got one matchdart on the Bullseye, missed it, and MVG made it 3-3. Cullen had the darts in the final set. He got 1-0 and 2-1 up. In MVG’s leg Cullen got another chance to win the match at 164. He hit two treble 19’s but just missed the bullseye. MVG made it 2-2 in legs and we went to a deciding leg! Cullen started it, however he couldn’t fine the trebles he was hitting in the entire match, MVG took his changes and won the match! He came from 1-3 behind, survived 2 matchdarts, but Michael van Gerwen beats Joe Cullen 4-3 and is the first Dutchman into the quarter-finals of the 2021 PDC World Darts Championship!

Stats:

Michael van Gerwen (100.43) 4-3 Joe Cullen (97.23)

Sets: 2-3, 3-2, 2-3, 2-3, 3-1, 3-2, 3-2