Nathan Aspinall has booked his spot in the quarter-finals of the 2024
Masters in Milton Keynes despite a far from vintage performance against
Dirk van Duijvenbode.
Showing no signs of a Premier League hangover, Aspinall flew out of the blocks, racing through thr opening session 4-1 despite both he and van Duijvenbode only averaging in the mid 80s.
Despite Aspinall still more than being in control of the tie, the fact his average continued to languish around the 87 mark was allowing van Duijvenbode opportunities and after taking two of them in the second session, the players headed off stage with 'The Asp' 7-3.
A van Duijvenbode comeback seemed a possibility for a short while, but when the Dutchman missed darts to make it 8-5, Aspinall punished to move one leg away. However, a handful of missed match darts fromthe World Matchplay champion gifted van Duijvenbode another leg back. Nevertheless, Aspinall did indeed secure the win, 10-5 in the next leg.