So many may have pencilled in another Luke vs Luke Final at the World Matchplay, but Cameron Menzies produced an exceptional performance to dump out Humphries and really open up the bottom half of the draw.
All eight players remaining in that half will now feel a big opportunity is in front of them, but it does look the weaker half after the demise of the World Number 2, even if the likes of Ross Smith, Menzies, Gian van Veen, Wessel Nijman and Rob Cross would have something to say about that on the form produced.
On Tuesday, the attention is on the top half of the draw and all four Second Round matches look like they could be of high quality.
There is every chance the fans are going to be getting to see some world class darts with former World Champions, Premier League players and Major Winners all ready to take their spot in the Quarter Final later in the week.
Jonny Clayton-Gary Anderson both over 4.5 180s & 2+ 100+ checkouts: Two veterans of the Tour who continue to perform at a high level are meeting in what could turn out to be a very good Second Round match.
Gary Anderson was definitely the more impressive winner in the First Round and once again aimed barbs at his critics after the win over Ryan Joyce, but he has not been playing as much as the likes of Jonny Clayton.
That may not be a factor that decides the outcome of the match, but Clayton has been keeping a high level going for much longer and in a potentially tight contest, that could make the difference.
Jonny Clayton needed some clutch finishing to hold off Damon Heta in the First Round, but that is more evidence that the darts he has been playing week after week will strengthen the resolve when things get difficult. We did not see Gary Anderson tested in the First Round, although that is much more to do with the level he produced on the day, but it does leave questions as to how his game will hold up under the pressure that the Welshman can bring.
Both players are not only very good treble 20 hitters, but they have shown in the First Round that the combination finishing remains a strength. Jonny Clayton had four ton plus finishes in the First Round, while Gary Anderson had two of his own, and these two players are more than capable of getting together for at least seventeen or eighteen Legs before a winner is decided.
That should mean there is enough time for five maximums each and at least two more 100 plus finishes in this Second Round contest.
Michael van Gerwen to win & over 4.5 180s v Dirk van Duijvenbode: One Dutchman will be playing in the World Matchplay Quarter Final at the conclusion of this Second Round match and it could be a really good battle between Michael van Gerwen and Dirk van Duijvenbode.
Both came through tough tests in the First Round, although both may feel they allowed the opponent back into matches when they were in control.
Michael van Gerwen took control sooner than Dirk van Duijvenbode, who needed extra Legs to finally get past Chris Dobey, and the higher Ranked of these compatriots got the better of van Duijvenbode when they met at a Players Championship Final in May.
That was a high quality affair and this could be another with both showing flashes of what they are capable of in recent weeks.
The edge here has to be with Michael van Gerwen who may be able to sustain a higher level for longer than Dirk van Duijvenbode- the latter came right off the boil when it looked like he was about to win his First Round match. Anything like that again will be punished by MvG, although van Gerwen will be aware that his scoring will need to remain strong against an opponent who can go through incredible hot patches on the oche.
We should get to something like an 11-7 score and Michael van Gerwen will likely have needed plenty of maximums to earn a win if the match develops as it should.
Luke Littler-Nathan Aspinall over 12.5 180s & 2+ 100+ checkouts: There was a real feeling that Nathan Aspinall's friendship with Luke Littler had created a pecking order when it comes to the head to head on the oche.
Luke Littler has dominated the numbers, but it should be noted that Nathan Aspinall beat him in a couple of Masters events last season.
They have not faced one another since a meeting at the Players Championship Finals at the back end of 2025, which was won by Littler in this format.
Neither has been playing a lot of darts of late, but both looked in really good form in the First Round and it could be a Second Round match that features plenty of maximum hitting. You have to believe that combination finishing is going to be key at a couple of points during the contest, but Aspinall will need to find his scoring early to avoid getting too far behind Luke Littler.
Even a slow start rarely affects Luke Littler and he has become the clear favourite to win the tournament after the upset suffered by Luke Humphries in the opening Round. It is not a pressure that should hinder Littler's performance and both players can rack up the maximums and add a couple of 100+ checkouts to the match.
Stephen Bunting to win & over 3.5 180s v Josh Rock: Despite playing in the Premier League this season, Josh Rock and Stephen Bunting did not have too many meetings in that tournament as they both struggled for consistency.
That was the case in the opening wins here in Blackpool, although Josh Rock made much easier work of Luke Woodhouse than Stephen Bunting did of Niels Zonneveld.
More credit has to be given to Bunting for coming through some high pressure spots and thaet should leave him ready to get the better of Josh Rock at a major tournament. The Bullet will be looking for revenge for the loss at the UK Open and he will have noted that Josh Rock is still not finding his consistent best form.
The Northern Irishman is dangerous- he can be very strong around the treble 20 bed and Josh Rock was finishing well in the First Round. However, he was playing without being put under the kind of pressure expected and someone like Stephen Bunting should offer a much sterner test.
Stephen Bunting will need to improve his finishing, but he may have just enough to edge to a win and contribute at least four maximums to the cause in this best of twenty-one format.
MY PICKS: Jonny Clayton-Gary Anderson Both Over 4.5 180s & 2+ 100+ Checkouts @ 2.30 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Michael van Gerwen to Win & Over 4.5 180s @ 2.00 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Luke Littler-Nathan Aspinall Over 12.5 180s & 2+ 100+ Checkouts @ 2.10 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Stephen Bunting to Win & Over 3.5 180s @ 1.91 Bet365 (1 Unit)
World Matchplay: 6-8, - 1.80 Units (14 Units Staked, - 12.86% Yield)
No comments:
Post a Comment