Dirk van Duijvenbode will face his World Cup of Darts teammate and fellow top Dutch ace, Danny Noppert in the last confirmed Quarter-Final at the World Matchplay after pouncing on a doubling disaster from Michael Smith in an 11-7 win.
ADVERTISEMENT
It was a 98 average and a high checkout of 170 from Van Duijvenbode who went 4-0 up and staved off a comeback from Smith who missed 23 darts at doubles throughout the contest despite nine 180's and a 94 average.
Van Duijvenbode surged into a 3-0 lead to begin the tie as an out-of-sorts Smith struggled to get going and he was a double break down. He surged into a 4-0 lead holding with an incredible 170 checkout.
Smith went into the break only 4-1 down as he had a solitary leg to take from the session only to hold. On return, Van Duijvenbode missed a 97 checkout and Smith broke back for 4-2 down.
Three legs on the spin with an 87 checkout saw Smith hold and make it 4-3. But Van Duijvenbode pinned a 94 checkout to make it 5-3.
Smith kept one behind on double 20 to make it 5-4. Back to back 180’s for Smith saw ‘Bully Boy’ first at a finish but after missing a chance to level up, an 85 checkout saw Van Duijvenbode lead 6-4.
A 180 and double eight saw Van Duijvenbode open up a three leg cushion again with another break. It was a tense leg from both missing darts to seal the leg and Smith couldn’t pounce to break back with Van Duijvenbode finally sealing it to make it 8-4.
ADVERTISEMENT
Smith continued to miss darts at double to make it 18 in all but Van Duijvenbode couldn’t seal a treble break and Smith made it 8-5.
Smith missed a 170 on the bull but Van Duijvenbode missed 127 on the bull to hand another break chance but two darts went begging from Smith again and the Dutchman made it 9-5.
Smith’s double woes continued albeit missing double 12 for a nine-dart finish but he sealed a 9-6 deficit and broke from there with a 66 checkout to make it 9-7.
He missed 123 on double nine and Van Duijvenbode reached 10-7 with an 86 checkout and he sealed a hold on double 10 to claim it.
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
In his current role, Samuel works closely with editors and writers to ensure content meets clear journalistic standards, with a focus on source verification, editorial consistency, and timely updates when new, confirmed information becomes available.
DIRK DUMPS OUT BULLY BOY! 🍆
Dirk van Duijvenbode sets up an all-Dutch quarter-final clash with Danny Noppert after defeating an out-of-sorts Michael Smith 11-7!
#WMDarts | R2
📺 bit.ly/WM22HowToWatch