Dirk van Duijvenbode recorded one of the biggest wins
of his career on Tuesday night by knocking out
Michael van Gerwen 14-12 after a gripping thriller at the
World Matchplay.
The Dutchman looked to have the match under control at 10-7, but saw his compatriot fight back to 11-11. Only in extra time did Van Duijvenbode finally edge it.
Afterwards, relief was the dominant emotion. The ’s-Gravenzande thrower admitted the tension got to him in the closing stages and that Van Gerwen’s comeback seriously shook his belief. “I didn’t handle the pressure well, that much is clear,” Van Duijvenbode told Viaplay afterwards.
Even the winning dart felt anything but assured. “I won with a lucky dart. I flicked like a ballerina and the dart dropped in. That’s how it felt. I was just timid and not convinced of myself, apparently.”
Strong spell after first break
Van Duijvenbode trailed 3-2 at the first interval, but then completely seized the initiative. With a run of strong legs, he turned the match around and built a comfortable lead.
Just when victory seemed within reach, the nerves kicked in. “From 8-4 the jitters hit, I have to be honest about that.”
Strikingly, it wasn’t so much the thought of a quarter-final spot that occupied his mind. “I wasn’t that afraid of the impending win, but the pressure… I could beat Van Gerwen and make the quarter-finals. And in that moment, the quarter-final didn’t even matter as much as beating Van Gerwen at the Matchplay.”
According to Van Duijvenbode, that cost him temporary control of his game. “I buckled under pressure then, but recovered just in time.”
“That makes you feel small”
When Van Gerwen battled back from 10-7 and the crowd rallied behind the three-time world champion, Van Duijvenbode felt how hard it was to maintain his level. “At a certain point that was intimidating as well.”
He noticed Van Gerwen growing in confidence. “He was pounding the trebles and the crowd was chanting his name.”
That left a big impression on the winner. “That makes you feel small, a little guy. I’m a tough lad, but then you’re very small for a moment.”
Van Duijvenbode felt everything came together at that point. “It just feels very intimidating then, especially because I’d already had all my chances.”
That belief ultimately proved justified. In extra time Van Duijvenbode rediscovered his rhythm and finally halted Van Gerwen’s comeback. That sealed his place in the
World Matchplay quarter-finals.