Van Duijvenbode slams Huybrechts for 'giving it large': "Your close because I don't play well"

Dirk van Duijvenbode survived a thriller in the opening round of the World Matchplay. 'Aubergenius' defeated Kim Huybrechts 12-10.

Van Duijvenbode survived some match darts. "I could have easily lost there possibly," Van Duijvenbode said afterwards. "Even my scores didn't go as I wanted them to do. My darts didn't go as practiced."

Both players are renowned as fiery characters and Huybrechts cheered exuberantly several times, something Van Duijvenbode normally does as well. "But when my scores don't go well I just have to put all my focus on how to let them go and start playing well," he explains before slamming his opponent's celebrations. "Today I didn't play well so he gives it large, I was like 'yeah your close because I don't play well.'"

In the next round, Van Duijvenbode will take on Luke Humphries. "It will have to be much better, otherwise I am completely hopeless. But if I reach my best level I can definitely beat him."