"Averages of 85 and 90 just aren’t good enough at this level": Dave Chisnall looks to bounce back from UK Open

Dave Chisnall hopes to regain his best form ahead of the Belgium Open. The world number nine had a difficult start to the season and wants to recover to secure his spot in the top 16 of the PDC Order of Merit.

Chisnall was eliminated in the fifth round of the UK Open by Krzysztof Ratajski. In addition, he suffered a surprising defeat in the first round of the World Masters against Scot Cameron Menzies (3-1). He also went out in the second round at the World Championships, contributing to a rough start to 2025.

The Morecambe-based darter admitted in an interview with Kwiff to being disappointed with his performance and is working hard to find his form again. "The UK Open was another disappointing week, with this season running parallel to 12 months ago when unable to find any real form in the first few months of the year.   

“I had to dig in to beat Ricky (Evans) in the first game, but was the master of my own downfall against Krzysztof Ratajski – who has been a bit of a bogey player to me in the last year or so.

Chisnall lost 10-8 to Ratajski and pointed to crucial misses before the second break as the cause of his defeat.

“I lost 10-8 but the damage was done just before the second break. When you’re missing doubles the pressure just starts to build.  

“Averages of 85 and 90 just aren’t good enough at this level, and I’ve got to sort it out.  

Despite his lesser TV results, Chisnall has shown in recent years that he is one of the best players on the Pro Tour. In the past two seasons, he concluded the Pro Tour Order of Merit as number one each time. Since 2023, he has won four Players Championship titles and five EuroTour tournaments, underscoring his dominance on the Pro Tour.

On the practice side of things, it is going well, but that does not yet translate to the stage. “The practice board is getting plenty of hours, and everything clicks there – I’m just struggling to translate it onto the stage. The first dart is going in too low at the Treble 20, which makes it difficult, and you then end up switching and going round the board. 

“We need to earn a few quid to stop us sliding down the rankings – down to Number 9 after a poor run. The most important thing is to stay in the top 16 in the world, which is my short term aim, and then win something by the end of April.”

Chisnall is now focusing on the Belgium Open and hopes to add the trophy to his record there. “There are no easy games at this level, and I’m not one for looking at draws, but if I were to get to the final, I’ll have to take some scalps along the way.

He begins his tournament against the Ricardo Pietreczko, with a possible clash against Nathan Aspinall after that. After that, Luke Littler or Gary Anderson are the possible opponents. “It’s no easy task. The standard is top class, but that’s the name of the game and I’ll be hoping to get my hands on that trophy come Sunday.”