Aspinall reacts to whistlers: ''Shut up, watch the darts and enjoy yourself''

Nathan Aspinall qualified for the last sixteen at the International Darts Open on Saturday afternoon after a comfortable 6-2 win over Mario Vandenbogaerde.

'The Asp' reached an average of over 96 and a finishing percentage of 60%. ''It was a nice game to get into the tournament. I thought I played okay there, but I didn't really get pushed so I didn't really have to produce anything special. But always happy to get the win'', he told Online Darts afterwards.

For Aspinall, it was his first win on the European Tour this year.  ''I'm finally on the European Tour ranking now'', he laughed. ''The European Tour events are so important to the ranking. Being in that top 16 is a massive advantage. If you get a couple of wins every single week, you're very hard to catch on in that top 16. It makes your life a lot easier.''

What doesn't make life any easier are the people who like to whistle at players during matches. Aspinall was already bothered by it during the Premier League in Berlin on Thursday, and on Saturday again the former UK Open champion was distracted a few times.

''I'm so focused and I don't hear the chants, but the whistles really affects me. I stop and start (throwing) so many times and I'm like I just don't get it. Just shut up, watch the darts and enjoy yourself. It's one of the things you have to deal with as a sportsman.''