After losing to Jonny Clayton in the Last 16 last year, Dimitri van den Bergh was superb as he took down Jonny Clayton 11-5 with his doubling at times in the contest utterly magnificent and he will need to be as he faces Luke Humphries next at the World Matchplay.
The nine-dart hero of the last round averaged 96, hit six 180's and hit 39% on the outer ring, a number shrouded by a great first half of the match and a dodgy part of the second where neither could hit a double. But he is over the line and through to the latter stages.
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Van den Bergh was utterly heroic on the doubles early on. He went 6/8 in going 6-3 up as despite Clayton having chances, he was never able to take them as Van den Bergh pounced every time.
A 72 checkout and 108 checkout from Van den Bergh back-to-back saw him snare the lead and the impetus. Clayton was unfortunate but Van den Bergh hit a last dart 60 after ‘The Ferret’ missed the chance to get back in. But with the Belgian ready again to pounce, Clayton went into the break 6-4 down and still in the tie but needing an extra gear to find his way through the Belgian.
Van den Bergh missed three for 7-4 but returned with Clayton unable to get a chance to break. DvdB pinned double four finally for it. Clayton missed 120 for 7-5 down but Van den Bergh missed his 12th dart at double in two legs and the Welshman went two down.
A 112 checkout saw Van den Bergh spurn his double trouble and go 8-5 up and he made it a four leg cushion to make it 9-5. He went one away eventually pinning double four after hitting the bull right in the middle initially for 82 but missing two darts. He was 10-5 up though and cruising. Clayton missed 80 to stay in it and Van den Bergh pinned 88 on double 14 to seal the win.
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