🏆 𝗗𝗜𝗥𝗞 𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗟𝗘 🍆 Dirk van Duijvenbode wins his first PDC senior title after closing out a hard-fought 8-6 victory over Martijn Kleermaker in the Players Championship 11 final! Congratulations Dirk! 👏
Van Duijvenbode claims maiden PDC ranking title at PDC Super Series 3 with hard fought win over Kleermaker
PDCTuesday, 27 April 2021 at 07:40
Dirk van Duijvenbode is the 85th different winner of a PDC ranking event after joining the winners' circle for the first time during Day Three of PDC Super Series Three.
It was the first time since February 2019 that two Dutch players have faced off in a Players Championship final and it delivered with a hard fought 8-6 win for 'The Aubergenius'.
Today he claimed victories over David Evans (6-3), Jelle Klaasen (6-2), Jeff Smith (6-4), Krzysztof Ratajski (6-4), Scott Mitchell (6-4) and Andy Boulton (7-5) before reaching the final where he met his compatriot.
Van Duijvenbode started on Kleermaker's throw with a 180 and pinned 56 on double nine last dart despite fluffing his lines initially on 80.
He followed that up with a hold to double his lead in the early going as despite messing up from 70, Kleermaker didn't offer resistance.
A 128 set up saw Van Duijvenbode first to a finish on Kleermaker's throw and he left double 20 with Kleermaker needing 109 but he pinned it in rapid fashion to halve the deficit.
He kicked into gear with a first 180 and pinned double 10 to break back and make it 2-2.
But Kleermaker's return to the foray was halted for the time being with double eight pinned by Van Duijvenbode to break straight back and take the lead at 3-2.
He watched as Kleermaker missed double 20 on 145 and Van Duijvenbode reopened the gap to 4-2.
Kleermaker responded with a hold on double six to make it 4-3. But he needed a break with Van Duijvenbode extending his lead to 5-3 with double eight pinned last dart in hand.
Van Duijvenbode missed 128 on double 10 for another break in a potentially pivotal moment and Kleermaker hung on hitting double 10 to make it 5-4.
The Aubergenius left 80 and blocked himself on double 20 for a hold but Kleermaker hit the wire of the bull and was made to rue the miss again as Van Duijvenbode went 6-4 up.
The latter left 66 meaning Kleermaker had to take out 78 and he made no mistake to make it 6-5.
Legs were running out and Kleermaker was first to a finish on Van Duijvenbode's throw with a 162 set up. He smashed in a 140 from there to break back and level it at 6-6.
He had the darts in two of the remaining three legs but Van Duijvenbode swung back with a 180 and was down to 128 to break back.
Kleermaker though hit a 180 and had a shot at 111 on double 20 and again Van Duijvenbode broke back and punished the mistake.
The Dutch Giant hit a 180 and 134 to leave 128 on Van Duijvenbode's throw to attempt to send it all the way.
He had seven chances from there to force a decider but was unable to take advantage and Van Duijvenbode finally pinned double 16 with his third match dart to claim victory.
Last 16
Chas Barstow (85.2) 1 | 6 (88.5) Andy Boulton
Chris Dobey (102.8) 5 | 6 (102.6) Damon Heta
Scott Mitchell (96.1) 6 | 2 (88.1) Robert Thornton
Krzysztof Ratajski (89.6) 4 | 6 (93.0) Dirk van Duijvenbode
Jason Lowe (96.7) 5 | 6 (91.1) Rob Cross
Mensur Suljovic (95.1) 5 | 6 (95.0) Brendan Dolan
Michael Smith (85.2) 3 | 6 (93.3) Martijn Kleermaker
Lewis Williams (88.0) 1 | 6 (106.3) Ritchie Edhouse
Quarter-Finals
Andy Boulton (96.4) 6 | 5 (96.2) Damon Heta
Scott Mitchell (95.7) 4 | 6 (92.5) Dirk van Duijvenbode
Rob Cross (90.9) 5 | 6 (93.2) Brendan Dolan
Martijn Kleermaker (88.5) 6 | 5 (96.1) Ritchie Edhouse
Semi-Finals
Andy Boulton (91.1) 5 | 7 (95.7) Dirk van Duijvenbode
Brendan Dolan (95.9) 5 | 7 (89.4) Martijn Kleermaker
Final
Dirk van Duijvenbode (92.4) 8 | 6 (92.2) Martijn Kleermaker
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