“That makes me angry. I'll be better then” – Van Duijvenbode relishing Mensur Suljovic challenge in the quarter-finals
PDC
Dirk van Duijvenbode booked his place in the quarter-finals of the Swiss Darts Trophy in Basel on Sunday afternoon. The Dutchman defeated Michael Smith 6-3 in the last 16, but was far from satisfied with his own performance afterwards.
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The nerves caused him particular trouble. Nevertheless, relief prevailed for “Aubergenius”, who stressed that this weekend is mainly about the result. In the quarter-finals, Van Duijvenbode will face Mensur Suljovic, an opponent he particularly enjoys playing against.
Van Duijvenbode did not have it easy against Smith. Although the Dutchman eventually won by three legs, he felt tense throughout the match. Smith, too, failed to reach the level he normally produces, in Van Duijvenbode’s view.
Afterwards, Van Duijvenbode openly admitted that he had felt quite uncomfortable during the match. “ I felt so nervous,” the Dutchman said. “I’m just happy that I eventually won.”
Dirk van Duijvenbode defeated Michael Smith to secure a place in the last eight
“Sometimes it doesn’t matter at all how you win”
The closing stages of the match created particularly high tension for Van Duijvenbode. The Dutchman explained how he deliberately chose a different approach with 96 remaining because he expected Smith to take out his own opportunity.
"On that 96, I thought, 'He's not going to finish that.' He always hits those finishes, so I decided to go for the 19s to save myself.”
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That decision ultimately paid off, although Van Duijvenbode said it did not go exactly as he had planned. “I pulled it into a 19 and double 19. I mean, double 19, double 19 — you never feel safe."
The Dutchman was mainly trying to avoid putting himself in a difficult position with the wrong dart. That was why he chose to make his next throw as simple as possible. “I was just thinking, 'Go inside, and if you pull it, it's in.' Then you can add up another dart, and that's what I did.”
The victory nevertheless secured him a place in the last eight. For Van Duijvenbode, that was ultimately far more important than the way he had played. "He didn't play how he normally does, and neither did I, but I won.”
According to the Dutchman, there are moments when a player must judge his performance primarily by the result. “Sometimes it doesn't matter how you win. For me, this weekend isn't about how you win, but that you win. That's the main thing."
DOUBLE-DOUBLE FOR DIRK! 🤩 Dirk van Duijvenbod beats Michael Smith in STYLE to move on in Basel! 📺 https://t.co/Dogi6ykEH5 #ET14 https://t.co/AvPyQwuPoX
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) October 11, 2026
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Special confrontation with Mensur Suljovic
Van Duijvenbode will meet Mensur Suljovic in the quarter-finals. The Austrian is known for his measured pace and distinctive rhythm at the dartboard.
That promises a very different match from the clash with Michael Smith. While Smith generally uses a brisk pace, Suljovic regularly takes plenty of time over his throws.
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That can be difficult for some players, but Van Duijvenbode made clear that it does not bother him. “I love it. I love slow players and players who try to put me off. I love it.”
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The Dutchman made clear that he is not easily intimidated by an opponent deliberately trying to disrupt the rhythm of a match. In fact, Van Duijvenbode hopes Suljovic will do everything possible to unsettle him in the quarter-final. "Hopefully he tries his best to put me off, because that makes me angry. I'll be better then.”
Lucas MichaelDarts Journalist
Lucas Michael is a darts journalist and reporter based in Cambridge, UK, and has been part of the DartsNews team since 2025. He covers professional darts through reports, analysis, round-ups, and live coverage, with a focus on clear context and accurate reporting across the PDC calendar.
A key part of his work is liveblogging major tournaments throughout the year, providing real-time updates, match coverage, and contextual reporting across the professional circuit. He also reports regularly from events on site and has covered the PDC World Darts Championship from the venue, delivering first-hand insight throughout the tournament.
Within the newsroom, Lucas works closely with the editorial team and supports coverage alongside Chief Content Officer Samuel Gill and reporter Kieran Wood.
Lucas holds a BA (Hons) in Sports Journalism. In his work, he places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating content promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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- I love Jonny but I disagree. The Grand Slam was always supposed to be "champion of champions" type competition. If the top 16 are guaranteed participation in everything there will be so much less jeopardy involved in qualifying and each major tournament will lose its unique flavour which the PDC has worked hard trying to develop. I enjoy following the qualification races towards the end of the year, and while consistency should have its rewards, the truth is Jonny hasn't reached a major final all year or won a single event on the Pro Tour. Being consistent is one thing, but that alone should have consequences as the sport's elite should not be prepared to accept consistently strong performances, their foremost motivation should be to win and this should be what separates them from the rest, not the consistency of their performances. Jonny is expecting that losing should be enough; it shouldn't be, at least not as far as the Grand Slam is concerned.Deduce635811-10-2026
- Well being honest,it doesn't matter what level you play at, there's always someone who slows it down to suit themselves,and extra swig of water, replacing flights, asking the ref what the score is. It happens wherever. I'm not saying it's professional,but I'm sure we've all seen it beforerick6711-10-2026
- Agree completely. Not sure how a ranking event can have a criteria not based on rankings. And he right on popularity. In the UK second only to football.BandB11-10-2026
- Doesn't matter who's in it,it's boringrick6710-10-2026
- Assuming you qualify as one of the "muppets" in question. Classist too. And since you're so clearly interested in academia, look up "linguistic descriptivism" while you're at it. Oh, and better stay away from the working class sport of darts and maybe offer your insightful analysis to, let's say, croquet instead?Deduce635806-10-2026
- The consequences of being uneducated and grammatically challenged. "To all THOSE muppets not THEM " Everytime I see Arsepinall, I have an image of him wearing a cap, standing behind the counter of a fast food establishment.richieburnettrocks05-10-2026
- I don't understand Littler's reason for playing this tournament.rick6705-10-2026
- James Wade has become James Wide. He has piled on the tonnage considerably, he barely fits in his shirt.richieburnettrocks03-10-2026
- Littler will play whatever tournaments he decides. But does every headline have to start with him? Bristow bought Taylor through,and he followed that with Lewis. I can't see littler doing the same. Let him choose,and lose,he's getting good at that lately!rick6702-10-2026
- I believe he has it in him to qualify for the Worlds as he consistently wins matches, even if it is only one or two at a time, although his recent PC quarter-final run was somewhat encouraging in that regard. I think there is a lot of pressure for him to retire, people in the media accusing him of tarnishing his legacy. I think that is a ridiculous line of thinking. How ungrateful it is to attach terms and conditions to the amazing moments he has provided us over the course of his career. What position are we in to dictate to him how he should manage his career when it is he who achieved those successes in the first place? What's more, this is his life and the passion that sustains it, it is not for us to decide when his career is over when it is he who must bear the genuine ramifications of that decision. Since I'm sure money is not a concern, the only question on which the decision should rest is whether he truly continues to enjoy competing. He has retired once before, but the desire to compete is what brought him back. We see a lot of negative body language and he does genuinely look miserable when he is not playing well, but only he will know when he wakes up the next day whether he wants to go and do it all over again. If he wants to compete, he should, it's as simple as that, this is a decision that should not involve anyone else but him and his family. He should not retire to indulge the whims of the media or the public. What satisfaction would he receive by being forced into retirement? What closure would it bring to such a brilliant career? When Phil Taylor decided to retire, his decision was final and resolute. I believe RvB needs to get to this point himself, no matter how many 70 averages it might take. We see the likes of John Part continue to compete on a regular basis well past his prime, I say more power to him, and who knows, further glory could be around the corner, it's darts after all, you just never know. Sometimes I worry that RvB is acutely aware of the clamour for him to retire and that this pressure may even have an impact on his performances as he begins to question whether there is even a place for him in darts anymore, further compounding his poor form and creating a vicious loop. Perhaps to take his future into his own hands would provide him with a levity and freedom that would lend itself to better performances, not to mention an improved wellbeing. In any case, it is under these conditions that one can clear-headedly and definitively settle an issue so profound as retirement, not when you feel you're being rushed out the door. If his performances can no longer sustain his presence on the tour, so be it; as it stands his card seems safe for this year but is in serious jeopardy next year. He could always allow himself to drop off the tour naturally rather than forfeiting his place in the top 64, this could provide a sense of finality while offering a route back through Q-School if he so desired; after all, he's done it before. In conclusion, I just hope that RvB can play - or not play - for his own sake, rather than anyone else's, so that when the time comes he can be in no doubt as to his decision, leaving no lingering questions, so that he can reflect with no regret or uncertainty on the marvelous career he has had.Deduce635826-09-2026
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