World Matchplay

The 27th edition of the World Matchplay was held in the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes from 18 to 26 July. Due to the Coronavirus, the tournament was played without an attending audience. Although SKY Sports did broadcast the World Matchplay, spectators were not allowed to attend the event.  

Debutant Dimitri van den Bergh crowns himself champion – his first major title - after a 18-10 win against Gary Anderson. After a sloppy start from both players, the finale is a level game till 7-7. ‘The Dreammaker’ is the better player in the second half of the match and creates a 15-8 lead. The Belgian ace shows his class in the final and produces finishes of 121, 124, 132 and 170. 

The Belgian youngster sends Nathan Aspinall packing in his first-round match: 10-5. Joe Cullen and Adrian Lewis are also not able to stop the Belgian storm. In the semi’s Van den Bergh has to play former three-time BDO World Champion Glen Durrant. Both players end their match with a 98 average, but Van den Bergh manages to win 17-15. 

Gary Anderson starts his campaign well. ‘The Flying Scotsman’ beats Justin Pipe, James Wade and Simon Whitlock without too much effort. The Scot meets Michael Smith in the semi-final. Anderson leads 14-9, but Smith starts a comeback: 16-16. Anderson is the better player in the tiebreak. ‘The Flying Scotsman’ produces a 13-darter to break his opponent and wins the match.

Last year’s winner Rob Cross does not survive the first round. ‘The German Giant’ Gabriel Clemens beats the former world champion 10-8. Gerwyn Price also loses his first round match. ‘The Iceman’ does not play like he can (90 average) and loses to Danny Noppert. Peter Wright and Michael van Gerwen leave the World Matchplay after the second round. World champion Wright averages a ton in his encounter with Glen Durrant but misses too many doubles. Michael van Gerwen has an off-day and does not stand a chance against Simon Whitlock: 11-4.