Giant-killer van Peer pleased with win

Grand Slam surprise package Berry van Peer spoke of his delight at overcoming dartitis and the odds to stun Simon Whitlock. 2016 World Youth Championship finalist Van Peer kept his cool to beat the Australian 5-4 after a tense deciding leg. And the 21-year-old had to battle more than the World Grand Prix finalist on the Wolves Civic stage. "I had trouble with dartitis recently and I was okay, but at the World Youth Championship I got it back a bit,” he told PDC TV. “I've been back to the physiotherapist but on pressure moments it happens.” Pressure moments were not hard to come by in a match that could have gone either way. Both Van Peer and Whitlock had 22 darts at a double, but it was the Dutchman who claimed the all-important ninth leg. And the young star conceded it was difficult holding off the nerves. "It's hard to play with and I was trying to compose myself, but I got there in the end,” he said. Whitlock was the first major scalp van Peer has taken in his burgeoning career, and on his debut in a senior major. Despite his difficulties, van Peer looked back on the win fondly. "I'm very pleased with that,” he said. "Simon missed some doubles and I took my chances, but it wasn't easy.” Next up for van Peer is Gary Anderson, before a meeting with the BDO’s Cameron Menzies in the final round of fixtures. Even despite his dartitis, van Peer could be set to go on a run at the Grand Prix.

Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC

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