Winmau’s Wizard of Oz, Simon Whitlock produced a magic 11-7 win over James Wade last night in the BetVictor World Matchplay. Both men struggled on their doubles throughout but scored well, Whitlock hitting a superb 5 maximums on his way to victory. Whitlock was leading the way throughout as Wade held on but he pulled away at 9-5 up and never looked back.
Peter Wright backed up his pre-match statements by hitting a 105.6 average against Belgian Kim Huybrechts to win 11-5. Snakebite stated before the match that Hubybrechts “doesn’t have the game to beat me” and what a match ensued. Both men were averaging in the 100s early stages, with Wright narrowly 6-4 up at the second break. After the break was were we saw Peter find another level as he burst into a 10-4 lead and eventually close the match out 11-5, the Scotsman rattling in 140 after 140 whilst hitting 50% of his doubles.
World Champion Rob Cross was dumped out of the competition last night by Darren Webster. The Demolition Man seized the initiative after the pair went in level at the second break, leading 7-5. The Norwich thrower then held firm to hold his throw 4 times in a row and close out the win.
World Number 6 Mensur Suljovic will be the awaiting Webster in the next round after he dispatched of Ian White 11-8. The Austrian has enjoyed a successful opening half of the season and had to produce some great darts under pressure from White, who himself hit 50% of his double. Suljovic looked to be cruising to victory as he moved into a 9-5 lead before White fought back to make it 9-8. Suljovic then crucially broke White’s throw and held his own to win 11-8.
Full Results from PDC: https://www.pdc.tv/news/2018/07/25/betvictor-world-matchplay-night-five
2018 BetVictor World Matchplay
Wednesday July 25
Simon Whitlock 11-7 James Wade
Mensur Suljovic 11-8 Ian White
Darren Webster 11-8 Rob Cross
Peter Wright 11-5 Kim Huybrechts
