Noppert wins, RVB loses at PDC World Championship

Wim Blokpoel - Last night the final 2 Dutchmen played in the Last 64 of the 2022 PDC World Darts Championship: Danny Noppert and Raymond van Barneveld.

Noppert took on Jason Heaver. In set 1 Heaver broke Noppert’s throw immediately, as Noppert was only 1/7 on the doubles, and Heaver won the set 3-1 in legs. In set 2 ‘The Freeze’ woke up, as he hit a 104-finish to win a set 3-1 himself, as he leveled at 1-1. Heaver had a lot of bounce-outs, and without having to play great, the man from Joure won set 3 comfortably 3-0, as he went 2-1 up. In set 4 Noppert managed to win the game 3-1 in sets, as an average of just above 90 was enough to make the last 32! In that last 32 Noppert will take on Ryan Searle.

Danny Noppert 3-1 Jason Heaver (1-3, 3-1, 3-0, 3-1)

Final Dutchman in the last 64 was five time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld. He took on the 2018 World Champion Rob Cross. Van Barneveld started brilliant, as he broke Cross’ throw in leg 1, and then held his own leg by hitting a 170-finish!!! After missing 7 doubles in leg 3, Van Barneveld eventually did win leg 4 to win set 1 3-1. In set 2 however, it was Cross who hit an amazing set, as he won it 3-1 in legs to level with Barney at 1-1. At 1-1 in sets, 1-1 in legs, the legend from the Hague missed 3 darts on double 12 and double 6 to break Cross’ throw, after which Cross edged RVB out in this set, and won it 3-2 to go 2-1 up. In set 4 Van Barneveld again missed multiple darts at double, to go 1-0 up and break Cross’ throw… It was Cross who went 1-0 up, 2-0 up and won the set 3-0 as Van Barneveld lost 1-3. A very painful defeat from the legend, who missed a lot of doubles in the second half of the game.

Raymond van Barneveld 1-3 Rob Cross (3-1, 1-3, 2-3, 0-3)

But, we still have 5 Dutchmen in the last 32! This is their schedule:

Monday 27th december:

Afternoon:

Dirk van Duijvenbode vs Ross Smith (1st game)

Evening:

James Wade vs Vincent van der Voort (1st game)

Tuesday 28th december:

Afternoon:

Ryan Searle vs Danny Noppert (2nd game)

Joe Cullen vs Martijn Kleermaker (3rd game)

Evening:

Michael van Gerwen vs Chris Dobey (3rd game)