"I can go a level higher" - Andy Baetens insists more is still to come as he reaches third Lakeside quarter-final
WDFThursday, 07 December 2023 at 12:00
For the third time in his career, Andy Baetens is into the quarter-finals at Lakeside after coming through a cracking tie against Gary Stone 3-1, in the last 16 at the WDF World Championships.
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With both players averaging over 94 in a nip-and-tuck encounter, it was probably the match of the tournament so far. "It was a tough game. Gary also was very good today but I'm happy with my performance," the Belgian, pre-tournament favourite reflected post-match. "He was hitting 180 after 180. But I held my nerves, and I won so today I'm happy."
The number one seed at Lakeside this year, Baetens will be tough to beat if he continues this current form. "My level now is good but normally I can go a level higher so we will see next game," he insists.
In his last two World Championships quarter-finals, Baetens has been on the losing end of thrilling, last-set deciders against Scott Waites and Thibaut Tricole. This time around, can he go one step further? "I have had two tough tests. First game was against Sebastian Bialecki, he's also a very good player. Now against Gary, I've had two very good games."
"I think I'm good enough to win this tournament," the Belgian declares. "We will see..."
Kieran WoodDarts Journalist
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He contributes to DartsNews.com, where he covers professional darts through news, match reports, analysis, and live coverage across the PDC calendar and major tournaments.
A key part of his work is on-site reporting from leading events. Kieran has covered the PDC World Darts Championship in person, reporting daily from the venue and providing first-hand insight from the tournament. During his coverage, he has conducted interviews with leading players including Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, and Gerwyn Price.
He is also one of the leading voices of the English-language Dartsnews Podcast, contributing regular analysis and discussion on developments across the professional darts circuit.
In his reporting, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles when new, verified information becomes available.
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