THE CHAMP GOES THROUGH! Jonny Clayton recovers from a set down to defeat Dirk van Duijvenbode 2-1 in the opening game of his title defence. #WGPDarts | R1 📺 bit.ly/WGP22Live
Defending World Grand Prix champion, Jonny Clayton kicked off his title defence by recovering from a set down to see off Dirk van Duijvenbode 2-1.
Clayton pounced after Van Duijvenbode seemingly had the crowd on his back and 'The Ferret' sealed it in the end to deny the 2020 finalist.
Clayton missed darts for a hold and Van Duijvenbode hit double 20 to go 1-0 up and followed it up on double 10 to hold and go one away.
Van Duijvenbode missed bull for a 128 checkout for the set as well as three darts for a whitewash set and Clayton saved his skin on double four. A 156 checkout saw Van Duijvenbode seal it though in the following leg.
Both held to begin the second set but Clayton hit 130 to go 2-1 up and one away and sealed it on double 18. A 180 was pinned by Van Duijvenbode but he missed a chance to break and Clayton returned to hold.
The crowd were getting on Van Duijvenbode’s back and Clayton broke on double 17 to go one away at 2-0. Double 10 was hit by ‘The Titan’ and he broke to send it all the way.
Clayton missed 105 for the match and Van Duijvenbode missed double 18 for a 111 and ‘The Ferret’ sealed it.
While for Peter Wright, he denied a late revival from Kim Huybrechts to seal a straight sets win over 'The Hurricane'. This was with a 94 average and 55% on the doubles.
Wright hit double 20 to seal and opening hold and hit double four to go 2-0 up. But Huybrechts hit 70 to break back.
Huybrechts missed double 18 for 2-2 and Wright sealed the set on double nine. A 180 was hit by Huybrechts but he missed darts to hold and Wright picked his pocket on double 20 to go 1-0 up.
An 82 checkout saw Wright go to the brink at 2-0 up. He missed two darts at 76 for the match and Huybrechts hit 128 to hold and followed it up with a 101 checkout to make it 2-2.
A 147 checkout was missed on double 18 for the match for Wright but Huybrechts missed 107 to keep it alive and Wright hit double nine to seal it.
THE CHAMP GOES THROUGH! Jonny Clayton recovers from a set down to defeat Dirk van Duijvenbode 2-1 in the opening game of his title defence. #WGPDarts | R1 📺 bit.ly/WGP22Live