In a thrilling night of darts action at the World Matchplay, the first four players have secured their spots in the quarterfinals. As we eagerly anticipate the matches on Wednesday evening, let’s take a closer look at what to expect from the upcoming clashes.
A total of eleven legs will need to be won by each player to advance to the next round, with a minimum margin of two legs required. In the event that the score reaches 10-10 after twenty legs, a tie-break extension will be initiated, potentially leading to a sudden-death leg if the deadlock persists.
The evening kicks off with a showdown between Krzysztof Ratajski and Andrew Gilding, two players who have already caused upsets in the tournament. Gilding eliminated Peter Wright with a convincing 10-5 victory, while Ratajski dominated Dave Chisnall with a 10-2 win. Despite Gilding holding a 4-1 head-to-head advantage over Ratajski, this will be their first televised meeting on such a grand stage.
Next up, we have an exciting encounter between Rob Cross and Ryan Searle, both looking to secure a spot in the quarterfinals. Cross narrowly escaped defeat in his previous match against Gian van Veen, surviving six match darts to win 13-12 with a sudden-death leg. Meanwhile, Searle started strong with a 10-4 victory over Damon Heta. With Cross holding a dominant 8-3 record against Searle, the former world champion will be looking to maintain his edge in this crucial matchup.
The highly anticipated clash between Michael van Gerwen and Joe Cullen is sure to be a highlight of the evening. Van Gerwen recently triumphed over Luke Littler with a 10-6 win, setting up a showdown with Cullen, who defeated Brendan Dolan 10-4 in the first round. With Van Gerwen winning 26 out of their 36 previous encounters, including the last six meetings, Cullen faces a tough challenge against the Dutch powerhouse.
Rounding out the night is the battle between Michael Smith and Chris Dobey, with both players aiming to secure the final quarterfinal spot. Smith cruised to a 10-5 victory over Gary Anderson, while Dobey overcame Ritchie Edhouse with a 10-7 win. As these Englishmen face off, only one will advance to join the ranks of the quarterfinalists at the World Matchplay.
With thrilling matchups and intense competition on the horizon, Wednesday night promises to deliver another captivating evening of darts action at the World Matchplay. Stay tuned for all the drama and excitement as the quest for the coveted title continues.
