The first day of action is
complete in the
German Darts Championship with
Devon Petersen,
Chris Dobey and
Michael Smith all through to the second day in Hildesheim.
Petersen came into
proceedings on top form after reaching the final in a PDC Autumn Series event
and going on the cusp of winning his first ranking title. Despite the Coronavirus
pandemic, it has been an excellent year for ‘The African Warrior’.
He continued that by seeing
off Jeffrey de Zwaan in a 6-3 win with a 94.5 average and a high checkout of 130
in a major setback for ‘The Black Cobra’ who’s place in the World Grand Prix
hangs in the balance especially with Jonny Clayton, Jeff Smith, Steve Lennon
and William O’Connor all into Round Two. As well as Mervyn King today drawing
level in the race to Coventry.
Next up for the South
African is Gerwyn Price in a real tie of the day in many ways due to their
clashes in both the Summer and Autumn Series, while Petersen didn’t hit many
180’s against De Zwaan, he always brings his top game against Price so it is
definitely one to look forward to.
Speaking of World Grand Prix
spots, Dobey has cemented his tonight taking a large step by going £1,000 ahead
of De Zwaan, King and Kim Huybrechts who is not here this weekend. He defeated Scottish
ace Ryan Murray in a 6-3 win.
He was joined in the next round by Smith who
saw off Alan Tabern in an all St Helens affair and it was a 6-2 victory for ‘Bully
Boy’ who hit a 95 average, two 180’s and a high checkout of 167 in an
impressive win to kick off his campaign.
Due to his status as a
non-seed, he will face Peter Wright tomorrow in another top clash on Saturday
evening. Can he vanquish Snakebite?
Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)
Danny Noppert (102.57) 6-2 (92.89) Josh Payne
Steve Brown (86.08) 3-6 (91.05) Adam Hunt
Steve West (86.02) 1-6 (89.56) Gabriel Clemens
Jason Lowe (100.15) 4-6 (97.57) Nico Kurz
Reece Robinson (88.3) 2-6 (94.86) Max Hopp
Jeffrey de Zwaan (83.75) 3-6 (94.57) Devon Petersen
Chris Dobey (93.97) 6-3 (92.27) Ryan Murray
Michael Smith (95.63) 6-2 (82.73) Alan Tabern