The Field Opens up in Berlin

It seems that the UK Open did not quench the thirst of the darting underdog as the first day of the German Darts Championship saw big names tumble out with shocking regularity.

Having made their way all the way over to Berlin and with the Matchplay just around the corner, the top players were expected to bring their A-game, but with three of the world’s top four gone after day one, it looks more like a C for effort and D for attainment for the big boys.

For James Wade and Adrian Lewis to both go out in the first round on the same evening is almost unheard of in a major competition, but that is exactly what happened on Friday night.  The world champion was unlucky to an extent as his average of plus-97 was perfectly good, but he met an inspired James Hubbard at the wrong time. The same can’t be said about Wade though who threw a miserable 91.09 to bow out to his old foe Mensur Suljovic, bringing back terrible memories of his shock World Championship defeat two years ago.

Gary Anderson was forced to withdraw with an eye problem so can’t be blamed, but the shocks results still hadn’t finished.  Michael Rosenauer seeing off world finalist Andy Hamilton, Michael Mansell beating UK Open quarter-finalist Jamie Caven and Reece Robinson eliminating Richie Burnett are all major upsets that may be swept under the carpet with the likes of Wade and Lewis crashing out.

Of course, Phil Taylor did not succumb to the same problem as the great man fired in a 103 average to beat Jerry Hendricks and the Power will now be the overwhelming favourite to lift the title on Sunday.

The opportunities are now there though for the chasing pack and the likes of Justin Pipe, Dave Chisnall and Wes Newton will be all the more confident of a win against the odds now some of the heavy hitters are gone.

With the remaining field it is Taylor’s to lose, especially if he can keep up his thee-figure averages; but if day one is anything to go by we could be in for some very unusual results on Saturday.

Quarter Final Tips: Taylor, Van Barneveld, Newton, Pipe, King, Chisnall, Whitlock, Huybrechts

The Pendulum Swings in the Matchplay Hunt

The desperate scramble for Matchplay places took a surprise turn in Birmingham at the weekend as an unfancied contender entered the fray and has the final qualification spot in his grasp.

There are just two Pro Tour events to go now before the big one in Blackpool and Darren Webster looks like he could make an unlikely appearance at the Winter Gardens after his second quarter-final run of the year.

The man known as the Sniper has had a fairly bizarre career on the oche thus far as he made a decent impact in 2007 reaching the quarter-finals of the worlds and the last 16 of the UK Open, but never committing to full-time darts he has never really kicked on; now though he is showing his quality again.

Webster finished as high as 28^th on the UK Open Order of Merit and made it to the last 32 after an impressive win over Michael Smith in round three.  The £2,000 he picked up in Bolton was the most he had won in the sport for five years and he has got more cash in his sights if he can sneak into the draw for the Matchplay.

He is far from guaranteed his slot yet though as the chasing pack are of some serious quality and within striking distance of the Sniper on the Pro Tour Order of Merit.  Mervyn King and Peter Wright are just £400 behind him and the likes of Dennis Smith, Colin Osbourne and John Part are all just a run to a quarter-final away from catching Webster as well.

The final two events are in two weeks’ time in Crawley and it is likely that it is one of these men that will pinch the 32^nd place at the Winter Gardens.  That is unless one of the lower ranked players can produce a sensational run to a final down on the south coast.  This is a huge ask, but there is great talent down the rankings and someone like Dennis Priestley, Co Stompe or Dennis Ovens could just pull off a big surprise.

There were plenty who had good weekends in Birmingham along with Webster, and none more so than Ronnie Baxter who secured his place in his home tournament in some style, winning Saturday’s event.  The Rocket consistently picks up Pro Tour events having won one every year since 2008 and that consistency has guaranteed himself a place in Blackpool along with Colin Lloyd and Rob Thornton who also performed well over the weekend.

Race for the Matchplay

A huge few weeks lie ahead for a host of players on the cusp of making the World Matchplay, with just four chances of qualifying through the Pro Tour left for the chasing pack.

As ever it is the world’s top 16 along with the top 16 in the Pro Tour Order of Merit not already qualified who make it to the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, and as ever, competition for these prestigious 32 slots is fierce.

There are just four Pro Tour events left now before things kick-off on the West Coast, two in Crawley in two weeks’ time, and more pressingly, two in Birmingham this weekend and the scramble for prize money will be furious and increasingly desperate for some.

The man in possession of the much sought after 32^nd slot is Scotland’s Peter Wright who has picked up £5,000 so far this year, but with the possibility of winning £24,000 over the next four events, any number of players can still make it.

Stand out players that are set to miss out as things stand are Mervyn King, Colin Osbourne, John Part and Dennis Ovens, but that is to name just four as there are a host of top players who will also not be beside the seaside come July unless they can step up their game in Birmingham or Crawley.

The pressure will be on this chasing pack, but also on those who are holding onto their place in the 32 by their fingertips, and along with Wright, the experienced quartet of Rob Thornton, Steve Beaton, Ronnie Baxter and Colin Lloyd will be well aware that they need to pick up some cash to guarantee their places in Blackpool.

What could throw all this into a bit of confusion is the presence of the two European Tour events before the players can even consider the Matchplay. With £15,000 for the winner at each of these events, the rankings could be considerably altered by the events in Berlin and Dusseldorf.  The likes of Dave Chisnall will have his sights set on success on the continent and a move into the top 16 in the world himself.  This would mean curtains for current number 16 Wayne Jones who is way down in 67^th in the Pro Tour rankings.

The possibilities to make it or miss out are almost endless right now, but what is for sure is that the pressure is mounting, and the picture of Matchplay qualification will be much clearer following this weekend’s hugely important tournaments in Birmingham.