“Am I not invited or something?” – Kim Huybrechts goes from being overlooked to Zwaantje Masters champion

Kim Huybrechts has picked up another boost with his second title at the Zwaantje Masters. The Belgian defeated compatriot Andy Baetens in the final and places real value on the win. Not just for the trophy, but especially given the strength of the field in Eindhoven.

Although the tournament is not under the PDC banner, Huybrechts was desperate to be there. In fact, “The Hurricane” contacted the organisers himself when an invitation initially failed to arrive. “I asked for it myself. I wasn’t invited and sent a message to the organisers. I thought: am I not in or what? In the end I did get the invite,” he told Darts Actueel in an interview.

That decision paid off handsomely. Huybrechts impressed throughout the day and saw the Zwaantje Masters as an excellent barometer for his current level. “If you look at the standard here today, this is what you do it for. These are nice titles to win. Even if it’s not PDC-related, you still want to win.”

According to Huybrechts, the field was barely weaker than what he usually faces on the professional circuit. With the likes of Danny Noppert, Jimmy van Schie, Andy Baetens and Mike van Duivenbode, there was plenty of quality on show. “This is a nice preparation for the PDC. We’ve got lots of PDC players here, or at least players at PDC level. Andy Baetens, Noppert, Jimmy van Schie, who I played, and Mike van Duivenbode, who is really good as well. It’s not the same, but it feels good when you perform here.”

Huybrechts was seriously tested in particular by Van Schie. That did not surprise the Belgian. The pair had already discussed the leading title contenders beforehand.

“Jimmy came up to me today and said he thought it would be between three players. That was before the draw was made. He named himself, me and Danny Noppert. I think it did come down to that a bit. Andy as well, of course. If we look at the PDC and recent form, I think we were the three favourites: me, Danny and Jimmy. And then Andy and Mervyn just behind.”

Huybrechts eventually faced Baetens in the final. “The Hurricane” trailed 2-1 in sets and admitted afterwards that his compatriot was the better player during stretches of the decider. Baetens, however, squandered key chances and Huybrechts capitalised.

“If he takes his chances, I think he wins it. He missed a lot of important chances. I stayed with him, but that’s darts: you have to take your chances when they come. I did that today. He was the better player, but I took my chances and I win the final.”

Huybrechts did not hide that the fine margins fell his way at the key moments. “A bit of luck on my side. But if we play each other at the PDC World Championship tomorrow, those are matches decided by small details. Those details mattered today and I took them.”

For Huybrechts, the title chiefly confirms the path he set out on earlier this year. “For me it does, yes. This is a tournament where you look at the list of players and think: you want to win that. If you end up winning it, it’s a confirmation. Nothing more, nothing less. A nice tournament to win and a confirmation that I’m on the right track. I’m very happy with that.”