DIRK WINS AN EPIC! 🍆 Both players had match darts, but Dirk van Duijvenbode finds the winning double to finally see off Kim Huybrechts in a tie-break! 📺 bit.ly/WM23Live | #WMDarts R1
Van Duijvenbode victorious in topsy-turvy tie with Huybrechts to reach World Matchplay second round
PDCSunday, 16 July 2023 at 16:18
In a topsy-turvy tie that saw the momentum switch this way and that, it was Dirk van Duijvenbode that finally managed to secure his place in the second round with a 12-10 win over Kim Huybrechts.
In the second tie of the Sunday afternoon session, it was too fiery characters facing off as Kim Huybrechts took on Dirk van Duijvenbode. Huybrechts has only ever won one match at the Matchplay but was the Belgian, in his ninth year in Blackpool, who took the opening leg.
Van Duijvenbode responded in kind, holding his own throw in leg 2. The Dutchman then took the first break of throw in the following to nudge in front for the first time. As the old saying goes though, a break is only a break if you hold. Van Duijvenbode was unable to do that, with Huybrechts breaking straight back. After Huybrechts had missed multiple darts for the final leg of the session, 'the Aubergenius' was on hand to punish, taking a 3-2 at the break.
Van Duijvenbode continued to press home his advantage after the break, taking the first leg of the session and stretching his lead to two clear legs. After both players held throw in the next two legs, van Duijvenbode was sat waiting on tops for a possible chance for a second break. Huybrechts would not allow it however, taking out a brilliant 90 on double 14 and after nailing double 11 in the tenth leg, the players left the stage with the score all square at 5-5.
Both players came back from the break firing as they opened with 180s, it was Huybrechts that took it in 13 though, to nudge in front. After the Dutchman levelled up, both players missed multiple darts for a scrappy 13th leg before Huybrechts finally secured the hold of throw.
Again van Duijvenbode held throw in the following leg and again he missed an opportunity to break the Huybrechts throw, with the Belgian on hand to punish and 8-7 ahead. Double 18 came to van Duijvenbode's aid in leg 16, and then as Huybrechts faltered on his own throw, the Dutchman got the break he had been threatening and taking the lead at 9-8.
With Huybrechts sat on double 8, van Duijvenbode wired double 14 for a match-winning 142. After he missed, Huybrechts cleaned up the 16 checkout and ensured the tie would be going into a tie break. Then, Huybrechts took out a stunning 108 to nudge in front and suddenly he was the man one leg away from the second round. His first chance would come and go though, as he missed two darts at double 16 for the match.
Thanks to a brilliant 180 set-up, van Duijvenbode cleaned up 52 with no fuss, getting back to one leg away from the win. Huybrechts missed another two darts, this time to save his skin and this time there was no reprieve, van Duijvenbode nailing double 12 to take the win.
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