Dirk van Duijvenbode a semifinalist at a major for the first time in two years

Dirk van Duijvenbode has qualified for the semifinals at the Players Championship Finals. 'Aubergenius' managed to control his nerves well and defeated Connor Scutt after a deciding leg 10-9.

It is yet another confirmation that Van Duijvenbode is on the road after being felled by a shoulder injury. Last month the dart player from 's-Gravenzande already reached the quarterfinals of the European Darts Championship and now Van Duijvenbode is in the semifinals of a major tournament for the first time since October 2022.

It was a tough match for Van Duijvenbode against Scutt, who managed to qualify for this tournament without a Tour Card. 'The Sniper' had previously sent home Martin Lukeman (6-4), Mario Vandenbogaerde (6-3) and Daryl Gurney (10-3).

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Scutt managed to break the Dutchman right away in the first leg and then took a 2-0 lead with a second 14-darter in a row. Van Duijvenbode got on the scoreboard with a 76 finish and then broke Scutt with his third break opportunity in leg four. However, Scutt then took another break lead by throwing two 11-darters to make it 4-2.

Before the end of the second session, however, Van Duijvenbode recovered the deficit. A 15-darter and a 13-darter made it 4-4, after which Van Duijvenbode took the lead for the first time in the match. 'Aubergenius' could not capitalize on that break, however, and had to accept a rebreak after a 15-darter from Scutt.

The third session started with four breaks in a row, making it 7-7 after 14 legs. Van Duijvenbode then regained the lead by hitting the double 4, before Scutt registered 8-8 with a 14-darter. Van Duijvenbode then docked again for the lead and hit the double 5 with his third dart to move into match point. Scutt forced a final leg, after which Van Duijvenbode showed his class in the leg-decider by finishing with a 13-darter.

Van Duijvenbode will face the winner of the match between Luke Humphries and Ryan Joyce in the semifinals of the Players Championship Finals on Sunday night. The other semifinal will be between Luke Littler and Ross Smith.