29/01/2021

Dobey eases past Van den Bergh, Whitlock impressive in Ratajski win to set up Wright clash

The impressive displays keep on coming at The Masters with Chris Dobey easing past World Matchplay champion, Dimitri van den Bergh to set up a tie with James Wade next up.

Dobey averaged 97 with three 180's as he coasted to a 6-2 victory over Van den Bergh who will now get surgery on his knee which is planned for after The Masters.

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Dobey took an early break and went 2-0 up after Van den Bergh had missed a 140 checkout wired on double 10.

It was back on level terms though with Dobey making a mess of a 72 finish and Van den Bergh struck to leave it poised at 2-2 but a 180 followed by double 10 saw Dobey hold the advantage with a 3-2 lead.

A brilliant 180 saw Dobey leave 50 which he took out to move within one of the match at 5-2 up. He claimed it with a 13 darter on double 18 after pinning 137 to leave the single outshot with Van den Bergh back on 74.

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While Simon Whitlock was in a similar mood to exhibit some early season form with The Wizard claiming a commanding 6-2 win over Krzysztof Ratajski.

It included a 10 darter en route, a 98 average and three 180's with Peter Wright next up and with the Aussie ace seemingly continuing some of his devastating form from 2020, he could be a match for 'Snakebite'.

He came out of the blocks well going into a 2-0 lead with an early break of throw in the form of an 84 checkout.

'The Wizard' nearly conjured up some darting magic missing double 11 off a double 18 for a 78 checkout and he was allowed into a 3-0 lead albeit with a 23 darter on double one.

Ratajski finally got himself on the board on double 16 but at the break, Whitlock sat 4-1 up and seemingly cruising into the next round.

Whitlock missed the chance for a potentially pivotal break to go one away missing three darts and Ratajski held to make it 4-2. It was two 180's and double eight for a 10 darter that saw Whitlock go one away.

He then asked the question of Ratajski leaving 84 on his throw with The Polish Eagle on 113. But he missed a match dart at double 20 only to return with Ratajski missing two to hold. Whitlock returned for double 10 last dart in hand to move through.