"He says, 'Daddy, I've got pain in my stomach,' because he doesn't like me going away": Dirk van Duijvenbode didn't want to let his son down in surviving Anderson comeback

Dirk van Duijvenbode disclosed that he thought about his son when he got a pain in the stomach like he does when he goes away from home as he survived a nervy comeback to defy Gary Anderson and reach the semi-finals of the World Matchplay.

Van Duijvenbode had to cope with the nerves as his lead was eroded and he fell over the line 16-13 when it looked very likely that Anderson would come back.

For quite some time, he reached the brink of 15 legs, but he kept spurning chances and back came Anderson to ask the question. But thankfully for Van Duijvenbode, he managed to answer it and now faces Luke Littler in the semi-finals.

"How many questions is that?" joked Van Duijvenbode as he spoke to the media including DartsNews.com.

"I started well and was 4-1 up after the first break. Then I played well again, but I missed some doubles after that bounce-out, and I think that was a crucial dart because it could have been 8-2 instead of 7-3. That's a big difference.

"I think my first four sessions were very good, and I probably could have won another two or three legs before the final break. At some point I got really nervous. Gary just kept hitting trebles and I was thinking, 'Please stop! I'm nervous and I want to win this game.' I was joking of course, but he was playing brilliantly.

"In my head I kept telling myself that I was still a long way in front. I believed that eventually I'd produce a 12 or 15-dart leg on my own throw. The closer he came, the harder it got. Then I hit the 134, followed by 180 and another 134, and I thought, 'This is it.' Then after my 154 he left 161 and I thought, 'Please don't take this out.' When he missed it, I had double 10 left—which is probably my worst double! I was just so happy to hit it in the end.

"There were moments where I genuinely had pain in my stomach because of the nerves. Then I thought about my little boy. Every time he brings me away he says, 'Daddy, I've got pain in my stomach,' because he doesn't like me going away. I realised I was feeling exactly the same as him and thought, 'I can't let him down.' That was probably the best session of the game. Then I came back strongly, then he starts playing good, but in the end I'm just delighted to have won. I also think I've improved my game a lot compared to my earlier matches."

Amid that comeback, Van Duijvenbode admits that he would be stupid to not think it was slipping away and that also the crowd being on Anderson's side likely conflated matters too for him further.

"Of course it became dangerous. I think I was 14-6 or 14-7 up. You'd be stupid to think it isn't in danger once your opponent starts getting to 10, 11 or 12 legs.

"I should have held my throw after the break. Instead I hit 140, then three visits without a treble, he broke me, and the crowd really got involved.

"I don't think the crowd dislikes me, but they obviously support Gary more, and that affects you. I'd be lying if I said it doesn't. You miss doubles because of the pressure they create.

"I just kept reminding myself of the score. I thought, 'Even if it becomes 14-10, I only need one more leg after that.' That's exactly how I approached it, and thankfully I got over the line."

He also remained coy when it came to what he discussed with Anderson on stage. "I honestly can't remember, ask him! We had a nice conversation about the match and a few other things backstage, but those conversations stay between us."

But one thing was for sure, he did struggle when it came to the aura of The Flying Scotsman. "I've experienced it before against players like Raymond van Barneveld, Michael and Gary, but because it had happened so recently against Michael, I knew exactly what I was feeling.

"I recognised the situation, took my time, told myself this was the moment to deal with it properly, and I managed to do that."

But while Van Duijvenbode stops short of being happy with himself and what he has achieved, he said that he also very much is surprised with his run given that in his view he still hasn't found his perfect equipment.

"I'm not really someone who says I'm proud of myself, but there have definitely been moments in my career where I've had to fight.

"To be honest, I'm surprised by this result because I've struggled all year to find the right set-up. For seven months I've been searching and I still don't think I've found my perfect equipment.

"I had a conversation with myself before this match. I basically said, 'Stop moaning.' My other thought was, 'The darts aren't going in properly.' Then I answered myself, 'Throw them harder.'

"Complaining doesn't solve anything. So I decided to be more aggressive, listen to more aggressive music before I played, and throw the darts harder. That seemed to help because they were sitting much better in the board.

"In life, whenever you have a problem, you either solve it or you manage it as well as you can. Nobody else is going to solve your problems for you. If you can't fix them completely, make the best of the situation.

"That's exactly what I tried to do tonight, and I think I played a very good game."

But the nerves were also conflated as Van Duijvenbode said that going off for a break ruined his momentum and he just wanted to finish and get over the line.

"Very bad, actually. I think the last break almost ruined my game because I was completely in the zone before it. Then you have to stop, go to the toilet, wait downstairs, decide whether to eat or drink something, and by the time you come back you've lost your rhythm.

"I was 14-6 up and just wanted to finish the match. Instead he got close and suddenly it became really difficult. In the end I was just happy to win."

But he also disclosed about speaking to his family and that while it is difficult being away, he said that in reality he is giving them a great life away from the oche.

"I called my little boy and little girl this morning and my son simply said, 'Daddy has to work.' Then we joked that if Daddy wins, we can buy ice cream.

"I could complain about being away from my family, but realistically I'm doing a job that gives us a great life. I don't care about the money—I just want to do well for my family. It's difficult being away from them for so long. I'd love to bring them with me, but they're still too young. Once the youngest is around four years old, I'll probably start bringing them to tournaments."