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In a recent statement, three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen took aim at fellow competitor Peter Wright and expressed disappointment in tournament favorite Luke Littler’s performance at the World Darts Championship. Van Gerwen’s comments followed his own victory over Jeffrey de Graaf, which secured him a spot in the quarter-finals.
Although Luke Littler is considered a favorite, having recorded impressive averages in his matches, Van Gerwen challenged Wright’s assertion that Callan Rydz should be viewed as the front-runner in the tournament. Rydz, currently unseeded, has displayed remarkable skill by achieving the two highest averages of the competition thus far—107.06 against Romeo Grbavac and 105.31 during a commanding 4-0 win over 11th seed Dimitri Van den Bergh.
World Darts Championship Quarter Finals
Upcoming Matchups:
- Peter Wright vs Stephen Bunting
- Luke Littler vs Nathan Aspinall
- Chris Dobey vs Gerwyn Price
- Michael van Gerwen vs Callan Rydz
After defeating defending champion Luke Humphries, Wright claimed he aimed to emulate Rydz’s form, declaring him the tournament favorite due to his strong performance. Wright, who has been known for his competitive mind games, previously stated he was poised to disrupt both Littler and Humphries’ paths.
In response to Wright’s remarks about the reigning champion, Van Gerwen dismissed his claims as “nonsense,” stating, “Every year at the Worlds, he talks so much nonsense. No one takes him serious on the tour as well because he’s not allowed an opinion at home.”
When discussing his upcoming match against Rydz, Van Gerwen noted Rydz’s exceptional average, acknowledging the threat he poses: “I think he’s playing some fantastic darts. It’s going to be first to five sets, it’s a totally different game.”
Emphasizing his focus and determination, Van Gerwen stated that when he remains concentrated on his abilities, he can achieve anything. He underscored his purpose at the tournament, making it clear that he is there to win.
As for Littler, the 17-year-old talent has had an impressive run, averaging over 100 in two of his three matches and recently defeating Ryan Joyce in a match that required a final-set decider. However, Van Gerwen criticized Littler’s overall performance thus far, suggesting that expectations may be weighing on him and impacting his play.
What’s next at the Worlds?
Action at the World Darts Championship will continue on New Year’s Day, featuring four quarter-final matches throughout the day. The afternoon session will include Chris Dobey facing 2021 champion Gerwyn Price, while Van Gerwen will go head-to-head with Rydz. The evening will showcase two-time champion Peter Wright against Stephen Bunting, followed by Littler’s match against Nathan Aspinall.
Who will claim the title at the Paddy Power World Darts Championship? Fans can follow every match live on Sky Sports’ dedicated darts channel until January 3.
Source
www.skysports.com