"I sent a message to my friends saying I will play a bit slower" - Madars Razma successfully manipulates pace to put Van Duijvenbode out of rhythm and seal victory

For the second year in a row, Madars Razma has successfully ensured a post-Christmas return at the PDC World Darts Championship. The Latvian number one fought back from a set down to defeat Dirk van Duijvenbode at the Alexandra Palace on Sunday afternoon, setting up a third round meeting with Stephen Bunting. 

Early on, things didn't look great for Razma. Van Duijvenbode started incredibly well, winning the first five legs of the match and averaging around 112. As the Dutchman began to drop off though, Razma pounced on the opportunities granted to him and reeled off sets 2, 3 and 4 without reply to seal the 3-1 victory. 

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"I'm over the moon! I didn't play my best game, but happy to win yeah," a beaming Razma assessed of his victory when talking to the media in his post-match press conference. "It was a little bit similar to the first game where Christian Kist took the first set, hit a nine-darter and was all excited, but when I saw his body language after the first set I said to myself: 'this is your chance'."

"I think he lost his control of his game. He was on fire in the first set, it was a one-way game," continues the Latvian's review of the contest. "But I came back, I played better and better and finally I won."

Razma in action

Always regarded as one of the more calculating players, Razma has in the past been accused to gamesmanship by opponents due to his slowing down of the pace. In this match too Razma manipulated the pace of proceedings, ultimately putting Van Duijvenbode out of his rhythm and allowing the comeback to take place. 

"The first set, it was too fast for me. After the first set, I sent a message to my friends saying I will play a bit slower because it wasn't my tempo, it wasn't my feeling," he explains. "I can play slow games and fast games but today this wasn't my feeling. I felt I needed to play slower. Dirk loves to play fast, loud emotions and everything, so after the first set it was good to have a break as it let me re-find my feeling."

As mentioned, the tricky task of Stephen Bunting now lies in wait for the Latvian in the third round after Christmas. "Stephen, he is one of my best friends on tour and yeah, should be a good game!" Razma previews.

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