PETER WRIGHT won his first European Tour title after triumphing in the European Darts Open with a 6-2 victory in final against Simon Whitlock at the Maritim Hotel in Dusseldorf.
The World Championship finalist won his second title of 2014, following his triumph in a Players Championship event in Crawley two months ago, taking away £20,000 for his effort over the weekend in Germany as he moves up to fifth in the PDC Order of Merit.
Wright had defeated highly-rated Michael Smith in his opening game of the weekend before overcoming Justin Pipe to reach Sunday’s final session, where he saw off Andy Hamilton in the quarter-finals by a 6-2 margin.
The Scottish World Cup ace then showed great character in his semi-final clash against Kevin Painter as he came from 5-4 down to win the last two legs, hitting a 121 checkout to draw level followed by an 11-darter in the deciding leg.
Wright continued that form at the start of the final against Whitlock as he won the opening two legs in confident style to open up an early advantage.
Whitlock hit back well by taking the next two legs to draw level at two-all before Wright put together legs of 14 and 13 darts to move 4-2 up.
Wright hit a 117 checkout to win the seventh leg and move to the brink of the title, and he crossed the winning line in supreme style with a 14-dart finish to end Whitlock’s hopes of glory.
Whitlock, who enjoyed a fine weekend in front of his vocal German supporters, defeated Premier League champion Raymond van Barneveld in his opening game on Friday evening before overcoming Brendan Dolan to reach the last eight.
He saw off Dave Chisnall in the quarter-finals by a 6-3 scoreline before edging out Gary Anderson in a deciding leg to reach the final, where he found Wright too strong.
Kevin Painter enjoyed his best performance so far this year with an excellent run to the semi-finals, dropping just six legs in his wins over Keegan Brown, Steve Beaton, Kim Huybrechts and Jamie Caven before suffering a heartbreaking 6-5 loss to Wright.
Gary Anderson’s run to the last four included wins over Gerwyn Price, Wes Newton and a narrow quarter-final triumph over James Wade on Sunday before narrowly losing to Whitlock after missing a dart at double 16 to win the match.
Gibraltar Darts Trophy champion James Wade and Austrian Darts Open finalist Jamie Caven continued their good runs of form by reaching the quarter-finals ahead of the BetVictor World Matchplay in Blackpool, which begins next weekend.
St Helens star Dave Chisnall reached the final session on Sunday before losing out to Whitlock, while Andy Hamilton reached the same stage, breaking a run of four successive first round losses in European Tour events.
The European Tour makes way for next week’s BetVictor World Matchplay and a trio of World Series events in August, held in Singapore, Perth and Sydney, before returning from September 5-7, when the seventh event of the year will be held in Sindelfingen, Germany.
The year's final European Tour event will then be held in Leipzig from September 19-21. For tickets for both events, visit www.pdc-europe.tv.
European Darts Open
European Tour Event Six
Maritim Hotel, Dusseldorf
Sunday July 13
Quarter-Finals
Simon Whitlock 6-3 Dave Chisnall
Gary Anderson 6-5 James Wade
Peter Wright 6-2 Andy Hamilton
Kevin Painter 6-2 Jamie Caven
Semi-Finals
Simon Whitlock 6-5 Gary Anderson
Peter Wright 6-5 Kevin Painter
Final
Peter Wright 6-2 Simon Whitlock
All games are best of 11 legs
MATCH INFORMATION
Quarter-Finals
Simon Whitlock reached the last four of a European Tour event for the second time in a fortnight thanks to a 6-3 victory over Dave Chisnall in the quarter-finals of the European Darts Open in Dusseldorf.
The opening six legs of the contest proved to be a tight affair with the Australian leading on two occasions only for the St Helens man to draw level and leave the game finely balanced at three-all.
Whitlock edged ahead for a third time to lead 4-3 and then broke throw in the eighth leg on double eight, after Chisnall missed three darts at doubles, and thenwon the next to end the hopes of the 2013 World Grand Prix finalist.
Gary Anderson remained on course for a sixth title in 2014 following an exciting deciding-leg win over recent Gibraltar Darts Trophy champion James Wade on Sunday afternoon.
The Scot fell 2-1 down to Wade, who won the third leg with a 120 checkout only for Anderson to win the next two legs to claim a 3-2 lead.
The next two legs were shared before Anderson broke throw for a 5-3 lead - only for Wade to hit back in ninth with a brilliant 121 checkout.
Anderson missed three chances at double 18 to win the match in the tenth, allowing Wade to force a deciding leg but the Scot hit double 18 this time around to end the contest.
Peter Wright ended Andy Hamilton’s hopes in Dusseldorf with a comfortable 6-2 win to reach the semi-finals of the European Darts Open.
Wright started confidently with a 13-darter and won the next two legs with the aid of five missed darts at doubles over two legs from his opponent.
Wright moved 4-0 up before Hamilton won the next two legs to stay in the hunt, only for Wright to hit finishes of 113 and 80 to end proceedings.
Kevin Painter reached the semi-finals of a ranking event for the first time this year after a 6-2 quarter-final win over Austrian Darts Open finalist Jamie Caven .
Painter raced into a 3-0 lead before Caven registered his first leg, but the former Players Championship Finals winner took the fifth leg on double top to restore his advantage at 4-1.
Caven won the sixth leg to reduce the gap to 4-2 before Painter hit double eight to win the next, a checkout which was followed by a fantastic 139 finish to win the match in style.
Semi-Finals
Simon Whitlock claimed his place in the final of the European Darts Open following a thrilling 6-5 semi-final victory over Gary Anderson in Dusseldorf.
The Australian enjoyed the better start to lead 3-1, only for Anderson to hit back and win the next two legs to level the game.
Whitlock hit a fabulous 132 checkout, courtesy of two bullseyes and double 16, to move 4-3 ahead before Anderson won the eighth leg on double ten to square a tight contest.
The next two legs were shared as Anderson forced a decider, where he missed a dart at double 16 to win the match to allow Whitlock in to land the bullseye for an 84 finish to edge through.
Peter Wright won the last two legs of another thrilling 11-leg semi-final in Dusseldorf as he overcame Kevin Painter - who averaged over 101 - to seal a spot in the final against Simon Whitlock.
Wright started well by taking the first two legs only to lose the next three and fall 3-2 down, before drawing level by taking the sixth leg with a 14-dart finish.
Painter hit an 11-darter to win the seventh leg before Wright drew level again with a 13-dart leg, only for his rival to win the ninth leg and move a leg away from victory.
Wright held his nerve brilliantly to hit a 121 checkout to force a deciding leg, before producing his best darts of the match with a fabulous 11-darter to end Painter’s fine run.
Final - Leg-by-Leg
Simon Whitlock v Peter Wright
0-1 - Wright is quickly into his stride as he hits scores of 140, 180 and 165 with his first three visits to the board, and he goes on to hit double two to hold throw.
0-2 - With the Australian struggling to find big scores, Wright capitalises to break throw on double 18, which included a 180 from the colourful Scot.
1-2 - Whitlock finds the double six bed with a pressure third dart to get his first leg on the board.
2-2 - The Australian hits a 180 and takes out a 51 finish on double 16 to level the contest.
2-3 - Whitlock hits a second 180 in as many legs before both players miss the bullseye for big finishes, and Wright returns to take the leg on double eight to complete a 14-darter as he regains the lead.
2-4 - Whitlock just misses double 16 for a 108 finish and Wright hits double top for a 13-darter to break throw.
2-5 - Wright lands a 117 checkout on double top after Whitlock was off-target on the same double for a 112 finish.
2-6 - Wright hits double 16 for a 14-dart finish to win his first European Tour title and claim the £20,000 first prize.
Match Stats
The World Championship finalist won his second title of 2014, following his triumph in a Players Championship event in Crawley two months ago, taking away £20,000 for his effort over the weekend in Germany as he moves up to fifth in the PDC Order of Merit.
Wright had defeated highly-rated Michael Smith in his opening game of the weekend before overcoming Justin Pipe to reach Sunday’s final session, where he saw off Andy Hamilton in the quarter-finals by a 6-2 margin.
The Scottish World Cup ace then showed great character in his semi-final clash against Kevin Painter as he came from 5-4 down to win the last two legs, hitting a 121 checkout to draw level followed by an 11-darter in the deciding leg.
Wright continued that form at the start of the final against Whitlock as he won the opening two legs in confident style to open up an early advantage.
Whitlock hit back well by taking the next two legs to draw level at two-all before Wright put together legs of 14 and 13 darts to move 4-2 up.
Wright hit a 117 checkout to win the seventh leg and move to the brink of the title, and he crossed the winning line in supreme style with a 14-dart finish to end Whitlock’s hopes of glory.
Whitlock, who enjoyed a fine weekend in front of his vocal German supporters, defeated Premier League champion Raymond van Barneveld in his opening game on Friday evening before overcoming Brendan Dolan to reach the last eight.
He saw off Dave Chisnall in the quarter-finals by a 6-3 scoreline before edging out Gary Anderson in a deciding leg to reach the final, where he found Wright too strong.
Kevin Painter enjoyed his best performance so far this year with an excellent run to the semi-finals, dropping just six legs in his wins over Keegan Brown, Steve Beaton, Kim Huybrechts and Jamie Caven before suffering a heartbreaking 6-5 loss to Wright.
Gary Anderson’s run to the last four included wins over Gerwyn Price, Wes Newton and a narrow quarter-final triumph over James Wade on Sunday before narrowly losing to Whitlock after missing a dart at double 16 to win the match.
Gibraltar Darts Trophy champion James Wade and Austrian Darts Open finalist Jamie Caven continued their good runs of form by reaching the quarter-finals ahead of the BetVictor World Matchplay in Blackpool, which begins next weekend.
St Helens star Dave Chisnall reached the final session on Sunday before losing out to Whitlock, while Andy Hamilton reached the same stage, breaking a run of four successive first round losses in European Tour events.
The European Tour makes way for next week’s BetVictor World Matchplay and a trio of World Series events in August, held in Singapore, Perth and Sydney, before returning from September 5-7, when the seventh event of the year will be held in Sindelfingen, Germany.
The year's final European Tour event will then be held in Leipzig from September 19-21. For tickets for both events, visit www.pdc-europe.tv.
European Darts Open
European Tour Event Six
Maritim Hotel, Dusseldorf
Sunday July 13
Quarter-Finals
Simon Whitlock 6-3 Dave Chisnall
Gary Anderson 6-5 James Wade
Peter Wright 6-2 Andy Hamilton
Kevin Painter 6-2 Jamie Caven
Semi-Finals
Simon Whitlock 6-5 Gary Anderson
Peter Wright 6-5 Kevin Painter
Final
Peter Wright 6-2 Simon Whitlock
All games are best of 11 legs
MATCH INFORMATION
Quarter-Finals
Simon Whitlock reached the last four of a European Tour event for the second time in a fortnight thanks to a 6-3 victory over Dave Chisnall in the quarter-finals of the European Darts Open in Dusseldorf.
The opening six legs of the contest proved to be a tight affair with the Australian leading on two occasions only for the St Helens man to draw level and leave the game finely balanced at three-all.
Whitlock edged ahead for a third time to lead 4-3 and then broke throw in the eighth leg on double eight, after Chisnall missed three darts at doubles, and thenwon the next to end the hopes of the 2013 World Grand Prix finalist.
Gary Anderson remained on course for a sixth title in 2014 following an exciting deciding-leg win over recent Gibraltar Darts Trophy champion James Wade on Sunday afternoon.
The Scot fell 2-1 down to Wade, who won the third leg with a 120 checkout only for Anderson to win the next two legs to claim a 3-2 lead.
The next two legs were shared before Anderson broke throw for a 5-3 lead - only for Wade to hit back in ninth with a brilliant 121 checkout.
Anderson missed three chances at double 18 to win the match in the tenth, allowing Wade to force a deciding leg but the Scot hit double 18 this time around to end the contest.
Peter Wright ended Andy Hamilton’s hopes in Dusseldorf with a comfortable 6-2 win to reach the semi-finals of the European Darts Open.
Wright started confidently with a 13-darter and won the next two legs with the aid of five missed darts at doubles over two legs from his opponent.
Wright moved 4-0 up before Hamilton won the next two legs to stay in the hunt, only for Wright to hit finishes of 113 and 80 to end proceedings.
Kevin Painter reached the semi-finals of a ranking event for the first time this year after a 6-2 quarter-final win over Austrian Darts Open finalist Jamie Caven .
Painter raced into a 3-0 lead before Caven registered his first leg, but the former Players Championship Finals winner took the fifth leg on double top to restore his advantage at 4-1.
Caven won the sixth leg to reduce the gap to 4-2 before Painter hit double eight to win the next, a checkout which was followed by a fantastic 139 finish to win the match in style.
Semi-Finals
Simon Whitlock claimed his place in the final of the European Darts Open following a thrilling 6-5 semi-final victory over Gary Anderson in Dusseldorf.
The Australian enjoyed the better start to lead 3-1, only for Anderson to hit back and win the next two legs to level the game.
Whitlock hit a fabulous 132 checkout, courtesy of two bullseyes and double 16, to move 4-3 ahead before Anderson won the eighth leg on double ten to square a tight contest.
The next two legs were shared as Anderson forced a decider, where he missed a dart at double 16 to win the match to allow Whitlock in to land the bullseye for an 84 finish to edge through.
Peter Wright won the last two legs of another thrilling 11-leg semi-final in Dusseldorf as he overcame Kevin Painter - who averaged over 101 - to seal a spot in the final against Simon Whitlock.
Wright started well by taking the first two legs only to lose the next three and fall 3-2 down, before drawing level by taking the sixth leg with a 14-dart finish.
Painter hit an 11-darter to win the seventh leg before Wright drew level again with a 13-dart leg, only for his rival to win the ninth leg and move a leg away from victory.
Wright held his nerve brilliantly to hit a 121 checkout to force a deciding leg, before producing his best darts of the match with a fabulous 11-darter to end Painter’s fine run.
Final - Leg-by-Leg
Simon Whitlock v Peter Wright
0-1 - Wright is quickly into his stride as he hits scores of 140, 180 and 165 with his first three visits to the board, and he goes on to hit double two to hold throw.
0-2 - With the Australian struggling to find big scores, Wright capitalises to break throw on double 18, which included a 180 from the colourful Scot.
1-2 - Whitlock finds the double six bed with a pressure third dart to get his first leg on the board.
2-2 - The Australian hits a 180 and takes out a 51 finish on double 16 to level the contest.
2-3 - Whitlock hits a second 180 in as many legs before both players miss the bullseye for big finishes, and Wright returns to take the leg on double eight to complete a 14-darter as he regains the lead.
2-4 - Whitlock just misses double 16 for a 108 finish and Wright hits double top for a 13-darter to break throw.
2-5 - Wright lands a 117 checkout on double top after Whitlock was off-target on the same double for a 112 finish.
2-6 - Wright hits double 16 for a 14-dart finish to win his first European Tour title and claim the £20,000 first prize.
Match Stats
| Simon Whitlock | 2-6 | Peter Wright |
| 13 | 100+ | 9 |
| 0 | 140+ | 7 |
| 0 | 170+ | 0 |
| 3 | 180 | 3 |
| 91.62 | Average | 98.97 |
| 1 | Breaks of Throw | 3 |
| 51 | High Finish | 117 |