The Rise of English Contenders at the Dutch Darts Open
The Dutch Darts Open has witnessed the rise of two English contenders, with Ross Smith and Luke Littler securing their spots in the semi-finals. In a thrilling quarterfinal match, Smith faced off against the formidable Michael van Gerwen, racing to a commanding 3-0 lead early on. It wasn’t until the fourth leg that van Gerwen managed to get on the scoreboard, showcasing his prowess with a 120 finish. Smith, undeterred, continued his impressive run, throwing out 79 to make it 4-1. Although van Gerwen reduced the deficit to 4-2, he missed four crucial attempts on double 16, and Smith capitalized on these misses with a 90 finish, followed by a decisive 13-darter to claim the victory.
In the other quarterfinal, Littler faced off against Danny Noppert in a back-and-forth encounter that saw momentum shift multiple times. Despite falling behind 5-3, ‘The Freeze’ managed to fight back and force the match into a decisive 11th leg, where Littler ultimately prevailed, sealing the victory on his seventh match dart.
With two English players now guaranteed a spot in the final four, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the Dutch Darts Open. As the tournament progresses, fans can expect to see high-caliber darts and fierce competition, as the participants vie for the coveted title.
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