"Everyone wrote him off after last period, but against me he was just fantastic" - Jermaine Wattimena responds with class after defeat to Peter Wright

Jermaine Wattimena lost out in the last 32 at the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship on Friday night at the hands of Peter Wright. Due to his good form in recent weeks, 'The Machine Gun' was actually the favourite heading into his match against the two-time world champion, but the Scot was on target and won 4-2 in sets despite a chest infection.

Wattimena acknowledged afterwards that he was "beaten on value" by his opponent. The Dutchman did not want to use Wright's medical conditions as an excuse. "Of course it didn't affect me and it shouldn't be an excuse," Wattimena reflected honestly in conversation with Viaplay. "Just look at his finishes, they were bizarrely good. That should also be said."

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Wright has been struggling with his form over the course of 2024 but sadly for Wattimena, played one of his better matches of the season on Friday night at the Alexandra Palace. "It's the World Darts Championship and you never know which Peter Wright is going to show up," Wattimena said of his opponent's surprisingly good level. "His finishes were fantastic."

Wattimena still tried and managed to grab a set each time after falling behind 2-0 and 3-1, but then could not push through and complete what would have been an epic comeback. "You just have to stand there. But I think we can give credit to Peter, who just threw a great match. Everyone wrote him off after last period, but against me he was just fantastic," the Dutchman concludes classily. "He beat me on value. I miss some little chances and my darts on some doubles. But if you're very honest, those finishes of his were just bizarre."

Notably, Wright now has the unenviable task of facing off against reigning world champion and world number one Luke Humphries in the last 16.

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