Wessel Nijman shines at home and takes title at Zwaantje Masters with 106 average in final, Ross Smith dumped out in Last 16

Sunday, 11 August 2024 at 16:00

Wessel Nijman brilliantly took the title at the Zwaantje Masters in Eindhoven on Saturday. In a field of participants with top international players, the 24-year-old Dutchman proved to be the best.

The field of participants consisted of a total of 42 players. Seven groups of six players each were made. They first played against each other in pool format. The top two from each group and the top two numbers three then advanced to the knockout phase. The remaining sixteen names then competed further for the title.

Familiar names such as Ross Smith, Damian Mol, Owen Roelofs, Moreno Blom, Wessel Nijman, Gian van Veen, Danny van Trijp, Jeffrey Sparidaans, Wesley Plaisier, Max Hopp, Jimmy van Schie, Ian White, Alexander Merkx and Scott Waites all managed to qualify for the knockout stage.

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Ross Smith, with his tenth spot on the PDC Order of Merit on paper the top favorite for the final victory, was surprisingly eliminated at the last sixteen by Danny van Trijp (5-4). Wessel Nijman managed a 5-4 win over Max Hopp in that round, while Gian van Veen was eliminated in the eighth finals by Damian Mol (5-4). Ian White, who had won the last two editions, also did not make it past the last sixteen. 'The Diamond' lost 5-4 to Owen Roelofs.

In the quarterfinals, Jimmy van Schie triumphed 6-5 against Van Trijp, while Nijman was 6-0 too strong for Jeffrey Sparidaans. Mol handled Alexander Merkx (6-4), and Wesley Plaisier took the win against Owen Roelofs (6-2).

Starting in the semifinals, play was in set format. Nijman edged Van Schie 2-1 in sets, while Plaisier secured a place in the final after a 2-1 victory over Mol. With a 12-darter and a 10-darter, the first set went 3-1 to Nijman. He then also took the second and third sets 3-1, making the final score 3-0.