Defending champion Wright opens World Matchplay account with victory over debutant Razma
PDCSaturday, 16 July 2022 at 22:51
Peter Wright while not producing a statement display to open up his World Matchplay campaign eased past debutant Madars Razma 10-4 with a 97 average, seven 180's and a top checkout of 157 despite missing 17 darts at doubles throughout.
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For Wright though, it starts his defence of the Phil Taylor trophy and something now to build on with 16th seed, Krzysztof Ratajski who saw off Stephen Bunting in tonight's opener now up next.
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Nerves were evident from the start as Wright punished with a 72 checkout to double his lead at 2-0. Razma missed double 20 to get off the mark for a 145 checkout and again Wright picked his pocket on double four.
Another break went the way of Wright with five darts to hold squandered and Wright was suddenly 4-0 up. He was half-way to victory with a 100 checkout for a 14-darter.
Razma finally got on the board with a 78 checkout albeit with a mountain to climb at 5-1 down. But Wright was being sloppy on doubles himself as Razma held at 6-2 but the Latvian was in no position to punish in the requisite legs as Wright hit a 70 checkout to go 8-2 up.
But this is when Razma started to fight as he made it 8-4 and asked the question of Wright.
That was answered with a stunning 157 checkout to go 9-4 up and one away with a hold with a 62 checkout sealing the deal.
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