"I think I can do better": Danny Noppert laments indifferent form post Premier League snub

Danny Noppert has booked his place in the third round of the German Darts Grand Prix. “The Freeze” edged a real nail-biter 6-5 against Englishman Ritchie Edhouse in the second round and will now face Karel Sedlacek.

After a nerve-wracking contest in which every leg was fiercely contested, Danny Noppert ultimately came out on top in the second round of the German Darts Grand Prix. In a clash that went to the brink and was decided only in the very last leg, the Dutchman showcased not just his technical prowess but, above all, his mental resilience. It was exactly the kind of match that separates good players from true elite performers.

"Of course I want to have a comfortable win, but it's not every time that way," said Noppert to DartsNews.

Those words perfectly capture the reality of the sport. At a time when the standard at the top is closer than ever, routine victories are rare. Every match demands the utmost from players, and it’s in precisely these encounters that a darter’s character comes to the fore.

Although Noppert admits he would prefer to win his matches without too much stress, he often feels strikingly at ease when it matters. “But most of the time when I'm on 5-5, I'm crucial in my last leg. It was a brilliant last leg of course,” he explains.

The win comes at a time when there is plenty of attention on Noppert. At the start of the year, his name was prominently mentioned in discussions around the Premier League Darts lineup. He ultimately missed out, something that sparked plenty of talk within the darts world.

For many players such a disappointment would weigh heavily, but Noppert seems to remain unfazed. "I think I can do better. Of course I'm happy to play darts every tournament."

"I enjoy every time, but I think I can do better. So far I like it," he concluded admitting that he could do better in his current form guise.