World Matchplay

The World Matchplay was never really a success for Raymond van Barneveld until 2010. In his first round match against Denis Ovens, he hits a nine-darter and goes on to beat Ovens, Alan Tabern, Co Stompé and James Wade. This runs takes him to the final in which Phil Taylor is his opponent. It is a fantastic climax to a wonderful tournament. Taylor leads throughout the whole match, but Van Barneveld remains on him heels. However, it will prove not to be enough for the Dutchman as Taylor goes on to win. The Power grabs his eleventh title and is now unbeaten fifteen consecutive games in Blackpool.

James Wade also continues to do well in the North of England. He reaches the semi-finals again where he loses to Barney. Simon Whitlock participates for the first time in the World Matchplay and after his stunning debut at the World Championship seven months earlier, he reaches the semi-final here, only to bow out to the eventual champion.

With four Dutch players of which three make it to the quarterfinals, and as previously mentioned Van Barneveld reaches the final, the 2010 edition of the World Matchplay is the most successful ever for The Netherlands. All four Dutchies survive the first round. Co Stompé beats Andy Hamilton, Vincent van der Voort defeats Dennis Priestley, Jelle Klaasen is much better than Mervyn King and Raymond van Barneveld wins 10-1, including the nine darter, against Denis Ovens. 

In round two, the Dutch lose Vincent van der Voort after losing a close match to James Wade 10-13. Klaasen beats Gary Anderson 14-12, Stompé defeats Welshman Mark Webster and Van Barneveld wins easily against Alan Tabern 13-5. In the quarterfinals Van Barneveld and Stompé meet and although it’s a close match you could brand that neither player wanted not to lose the match rather than win it. There are chances for both players, but in the end it is Van Barneveld who wins. Klaasen loses in the quarterfinals to Simon Whitlock. Barney goes on to beat James Wade in the semi-final, but the title still goes to Taylor, who in the final is just too strong for the man from The Hague.