On This Day in ... 2018: Hopp becomes youngest ever winner of a European Tour tournament

In 'On This Day in ...' DartsNews looks back at an event or achievement of a player on a certain date. This time a return to 15 April 2018.

On this day Max Hopp claimed the biggest title by a German darter ever in the PDC. In Saarbrücken, the then 21-year-old Hopp threw himself to victory at the German Darts Open, making him the youngest winner of a European Tour tournament.

The Maximiser started the tournament with a 6-1 victory over Zoran Lerchbacher, after which he caused his first surprise in the second round by eliminating Peter Wright 6-4. Hopp then went on to beat Benito van de Pas (6-4), Joe Cullen (6-4) and Rob Cross (7-6).

The former World Youth Champion faced Michael Smith in the final. Smith had a 5-2 and 7-6 lead in the final match, but had to concede in the deciding leg. With a magnificent 121 finish on the bull which became his calling card, Hopp caused a huge celebration among the German audience.

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