"When you win one, you will win more": Jermaine Watitmena used Bunting advice in Players Championship success

Jermaine Wattimena made a strong impression on Tuesday by convincingly defeating Nathan Aspinall in the final of the Players Championship 31. The Dutchman crowned himself tournament winner and took his second Pro Tour title of the season.

Although the day was initially dominated by Aspinall, who managed to throw a perfect leg twice, in the end it was Wattimena who won the final with a resounding 8-2 victory. The 37-year-old dart player from Westervoort showed that he is in absolute top form, with impressive scores and an unbeatable run of eight legs in a row.

The final started anything but flawlessly for Wattimena. In the first two legs he missed chances on the double, allowing Aspinall to take an early 2-0 lead. The Englishman, who earlier in the day had already thrown two nine darters and was in top form, seemed to be on his way to a new title. But just at that moment the game turned completely around.

With relentless acceleration, Wattimena then won eight legs in a row, in which he left Aspinall no room whatsoever. In that sequence he produced legs of 13, 15, 13, 12 and another 13 darts - an impressive run with which he completely seized the initiative. In the penultimate leg he crowned his dominant performance with a fine 116 finish, after which he professionally finished the match to 8-2.

“I cannot describe how good I feel,” reflected Wattimena. "I survived a lot of match darts in the first round, and after that I played amazing, so I am really happy with this win.

For Wattimena it is his second title on the Pro Tour circuit, after taking his first ranking title earlier this year in July. It is confirmation of his strong form and growing confidence, something he struggled with at times earlier in his career.

“I remember what Stephen Bunting said to me when I lost to him in the final in Leicester. He said: ‘When you win one, you will win more’, and now I have my second title.

“I have beaten some brilliant players today. I have more belief in myself now, and I think I’m a dangerous player for everyone!”

The route to the title was by no means without obstacles. In his opening match against compatriot Christian Kist, Wattimena narrowly escaped elimination. He was trailing 5-3 and saw his opponent miss six matchdarts before he was able to win the match.

What followed after that first round was a true display of power. In five of the six matches that followed, Wattimena averaged over 100 points per three darts. With that, he beat Latvian dart player Madars Razma, Germans Niko Springer and Martin Schindler, and compatriots Chris Landman and Niels Zonneveld, among others.

Against Landman, Wattimena recorded a convincing 6-1 victory in which he gave away little, both in terms of scoring and on the doubles. In the semifinals he showed his absolute top form by beating Zonneveld 7-0 - a so-called 'whitewash' - in which he did not let his opponent into the match for a single moment.

With his performance in Wigan, Jermaine Wattimena confirms his status as one of the most dangerous players outside the traditional top. Where he was previously known as a talented darter who often just failed to finish, he seems to have definitely taken a step forward this season.

That confidence is evident not only in his statements, but also in the numbers. The consistently high averages, cool finishing of games and his mental toughness show a player ready for bigger things.