08/01/2020

BDO World Darts Championship 2020 preview and schedule: Wednesday January 8

We're over the halfway mark in terms of games played at the BDO World Darts Championship 2020; and yet there's so much more to be decided.

First to fill a blank in the quarter-final line-up will be Wayne Warren or Andy Hamilton. Warren, the fifth seed, is the favourite. He averaged a full 10 points more than Hamilton, even though was never comfortable at any stage against Justin Thompson (none of us were comfortable during that post-match hug). But Hamilton a former World Darts Championship finalist and, after using his defeat of a sub-par Darren Herewini to settle himself, the Hammer will be out to nail down a place in the last eight.

After the first men's quarter-finalist is revealed, the last woman to reach the last eight will be worked out. Lorraine Winstanley was a finalist last year but, having been top seed last year, comes into this as eighth seed - the lowest seeding she's ever had. The Buxton-based ace could line up against Lisa Ashton next as a result. Of course, that's all moot if Casey Gallagher has her way. The Londoner lost 2-1 to Winstanley at this stage last year, and is on a revenge mission.

Speaking of coming back strongly, Ben Hazel showed the power of perseverance on Tuesday to win 3-2 against Gary Robson, having been 2-0 down. It means that he's already played 10 sets at the Indigo, and returns to the stage less than 24 hours after starting his second round tie. If there's any fatigue on show, Chris Landman will be there to pounce on it. The only tie in the men's draw without a seed offers one of these two players a surprise quarter-final berth against Warren or Hamilton.

BDO World Darts Championship 2020 preview and schedule: Wednesday January 8 — Photo: Chris Sargeant/Tip Top Pics

Waites out to hurt Harms

Scott Waites has had a heck of a draw. Martin Adams in round one was bad enough - even if Wolfie's finishing was "atrocious" (Waites' words, not mine). He now has to take on the top seed, Wesley Harms. Scotty 2 Hotty may have seen how much Andreas Harryson made Harms sweat, and will know that stepping up the gears could see him topple the lanky Dutchman. On the flip side, dumping out last year's runner-up would be a real statement of intent for Sparky.

From one Scott to another; like namesake Waites, Scott Mitchell knows he's got a lot more in his locker. The A-game wasn't needed against Leighton Bennett, but the 2015 world champion will be glad that he got the job done with minimal fuss. Kicking off with the first six legs was exactly the sort of ruthlessness he needed to assert control. More of the same is required against Michael Unterbuchner, whose own killer instinct on the doubles saw him knock out Willem Mandigers - despite Mandigers having the better average. Unterbuchner's a World Darts Championship specialist, it would seem. Could a third straight semi-final be in the offing?

Richard Veenstra would like to embark on a run himself - it's been four years since Flyers reached the final four on debut. The quarter-finals beckon, and Veenstra will feel good about his chances after holding off the dangerous Justin Hood. 14th seed David Evans is another threat. Stretch scored the biggest win of his BDO career by overcoming Nick Fullwell 3-2, and will fancy his chances against Veenstra.