“I just need the luck to go my way once” – Wessel Nijman feels a big breakthrough at a PDC major is drawing ever closer

Wessel Nijman cleared his first hurdle at the World Series of Darts Finals without major trouble. In Amsterdam, the Dutchman saw off the experienced Simon Whitlock 6-4. It was far from straightforward, but Nijman was mainly relieved to secure his spot in the second round.

“I felt I had the scoring under control today,” Nijman reflected afterwards. “But it started with that 150 finish in the first leg while I’m basically waiting. I’m just very happy I got the win.”

Before the match there was brief confusion over who should walk on first. Nijman expected Whitlock to lead, but the order was set by the World Series of Darts ranking. “We were waiting at the back and they said: ‘Wes, you’re up.’ I thought: yes, it goes by the World Series of Darts ranking. So I said: okay, that’s me. It’s actually very clear, but you do have to remember it.”

Although Whitlock boasts a vast résumé, Nijman still viewed the Australian as a favourable draw. At the same time, he knew that came with its own risk. “It’s always great to play those experienced guys, but for the match itself it doesn’t change much for me. It might sound strange, but of all the draws this was maybe one of the better ones.”

Nijman referenced comments previously made by Dirk van Duijvenbode. “You still have to go out and beat him, and I’m glad I did.”

Confidence is not an issue for Nijman. All year he has been among the players making the biggest impression in the scoring phase. “The feeling is really good and you mainly see that in my scoring during matches. It’s just good and it’s solid.”

Only a deep run at a major is still missing. Nijman doesn’t feel he is leaving much out there on the big stages. “I don’t have the sense I’m dropping a lot of stitches at the majors, but I think the coin just needs to fall my way once.”

He pointed to earlier defeats against Gian van Veen at the World Matchplay and Gerwyn Price at the UK Open as examples. “Both were really good matches, decided on small moments. If those things start going my way, I think it will come good.”

He is not adding extra pressure for the autumn. “Regardless of what I do at the majors, I think I’ve already had a very good year. Of course you want more. You always want more.” And if a Premier League spot would also come with a league title for his favourite football club AZ? Nijman didn’t need long to consider it: “If I can sign for that now, I’ll sign for it now.”