Van Duijvenbode on ‘idol’ Anderson ahead of potential second round tie: “That is still the case, but not in the same capacity anymore”

Dirk van Duijvenbode will be the first Dutchman in action at the World Series of Darts Finals at the AFAS Live in Amsterdam on Friday night.

A hundred metres away, 'Aubergenius' managed to reach the final match earlier this year at the Dutch Darts Masters, which was then held at the Ziggo Dome.

''Especially after the last tournament at the Ziggo Dome, I am looking forward to doing well here as well. This tournament is also a bit bigger than the one in the Ziggo Dome'', Van Duijvenbode told TOTO Dart Kings in a preview.

Read also

Tournament centre 2022 World Series of Darts Finals: Schedule, results, prize money breakdown and TV guide

The former major-finalist will play Haupai Puha in the first round. Not a bad draw for Van Duijvenbode, who meets one of the weakest possible opponents in the New Zealander on paper. But he refuses to underestimate his opponent. Puha recently gave a warning by winning against Jonny Clayton during one of the World Series tournaments.

''I had happened to watch that match,'' Van Duijvenbode said. ''Furthermore, I'm still going to see what his highest averages are. If you don't know a player, you still want to know what to expect.''

''Against Clayton, he started the match well. Clayton may not have counted on that and then it's hard to switch gears when you think you're going to win easily. You just assume that when you play your own game, you always win. But I didn't do that last weekend (at the Euro Tour in Jena, ed.) either, so it's not a given that I'll win anyway.''

Should Van Duijvenbode get through his first match, he will face Gary Anderson in the second round on Saturday. Of the last five encounters with his childhood idol, Van Duijvenbode won no fewer than four.

''I used to always see him as an idol, of course. That is still the case, of course, but not in the same capacity anymore,'' said the Westlander. ''Nowadays, I do take a more businesslike approach. I used to be in awe of such a player. Now I really do go into the game to win.''