Rafferty causes an upset 💪 Nathan Rafferty edges out Jermaine Wattimena in the third game of the evening! He's through to the Second Round at Ally Pally #WCDarts | R1 📺 bit.ly/WC23Live
"This has been a dream from when I was fifteen" - Nathan Rafferty after debut win at PDC World Darts Championship
PDCFriday, 16 December 2022 at 13:00
22-year-old Nathan Rafferty secured one of the biggest wins of his young career last night, defeating Jermaine Wattimena in a deciding set on his World Championship debut.
An impressive victory from the young Northern Irishman that was made all the more impressive when he revealed in a post-match interview that last Thursday, the 2-time winner on the Challenge Tour was having surgery for his appendix, not exactly the ideal preparation. "Last Monday I knew something wasn't right," he says. "Lucky enough it didn't bust, otherwise I wouldn't be here."
In a topsy-turvy encounter, momentum swung back and forth between the two players. Despite having youth on his side, Rafferty was wise enough to realise that Wattimena wasn't at his best and he had to capitalise. "He's one of them players who can hit everything, but then when he doesn't you try to take advantage of it." h
Next up for Rafferty is one of the tournament favourites and two-time finalist, Michael Smith. "Michael's one of the best players in the world," Rafferty says. "But at the end of the day... I think I can give him a game if I play my proper stuff."
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- And this should be the end of it. He was playing like a w****r and gestured as such. End of.Mysstree25-12-2024
- Cross will likely be No. 4 in the world after the world's. He's been in the quarter's or higher in 7 out of the 14 ranked TV majors in the last 2 years. Neither Williams or Cross played close to what they're capable of in this match.Matilda6224-12-2024
- Was a great match and am a fan of Scott, don't see much of him on TV. How the hell is Cross 5 in the world, he goes out almost immediately in every competition.richieburnettrocks24-12-2024
- He has Guillerme Barre Syndrome. Nerve damage due to autoimmune response. Could take him months to recover if at all.medinabello23-12-2024
- I have a nickname for him Ni I man.medinabello23-12-2024
- C'MON HEMPS!!medinabello23-12-2024
- He looks very healthy. I doubt he can run or anything. You need carbs for that. Carbs fuel your brain also. It is the preferred energy source for the brain. Carbs get broken down into glycogen fuel for your muscles. As a rider I totally need carbs. However for a dart player who doesn't need a brain or be fit this diet is perfect.medinabello23-12-2024
- F the bettors. Mugs they are. Anyone could tell this is a 50 50 game or Hempel slight favourite going on form.medinabello23-12-2024
- Hard to play slow players. Does your head in.medinabello23-12-2024
- What do you mean again?medinabello23-12-2024