Kleermaker punishes wasteful Aspinall, Barry survives Lewis pressure and Van den Bergh edges past Lukeman

PDC
Friday, 25 November 2022 at 15:44
GRANDPRIX RD1 NATHAN ASPINALL15A

The opening day continues at the Players Championship Finals and another big name has fallen in Minehead with Nathan Aspinall who has reached two out of the last three TV finals losing out at the first hurdle to Martijn Kleermaker.

'The Dutch Giant' punished a wasteful effort from 'The Asp' who missed 17 darts at double in all including a 101 to send it all the way and it was a 6-4 win in the end for Kleermaker who hit a 120 checkout and 6/11 on the doubles in comparison.

With the third seed now falling, it opens up a big chance in that quarter too with Josh Rock already out and the winner of Matt Campbell and Steve Beaton facing Kleermaker tomorrow.

Dimitri van den Bergh who could face Michael Smith next was one of those seeds to survive with a 6-5 win in a real battle against Martin Lukeman.

Setting up double 16 in the decider from 138 on Lukeman's throw, he sealed the deal on double 16 as he looks to erase recent form which saw 'The Dreammaker' not qualify for the Grand Slam of Darts in particular and suffered a ranking fall as a result.

While away from the Main Stage, Jose de Sousa took down Danny Jansen who hasn't kicked on since his maiden ranking title earlier this season only getting to this tournament and the World Championship by virtue of that.

It was a 6-2 win for 'The Special One' who breezed through against 'The Mullet' with a flourish in the form of a 110 checkout to seal the deal.

A tie that could easily have graced the Main Stage saw Keane Barry defeat Adrian 'Jackpot' Lewis in a 6-4 win to reach the second round in a quality affair.

After going behind early, Lewis kicked into gear with a 164 checkout and a 92 checkout to make it 3-2. Lewis levelled at 4-4 but Barry continued to keep distance and took out double 19 to seal it.

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