Bahrain Darts Masters glory for classy Smith

World Series of Darts

Michael Smith's golden run of form continued as he claimed glory at the Bahrain Darts Masters, defeating Gerwyn Price 8-6 in Friday's final.

Top names tested as Bahrain Darts Masters begins

World Series of Darts

Big names Peter Wright, Gerwyn Price and Dimitri Van den Bergh were given stern tests as the Bahrain Darts Masters began.

How to watch the 2023 Bahrain Darts Masters

World Series of Darts

Paul Nicholson's World Series of Darts preview

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Former Players Champion and current darts commentator and pundit Paul Nicholson looks ahead to the start of the 2023 season, which begins with the Bahrain Darts Masters on Thursday...

2023 Bahrain Darts Masters preview

World Series of Darts

The 2023 Bahrain Darts Masters begins on Thursday, as World Champion Michael Smith makes his first competitive appearance since lifting The Sid Waddell Trophy last week.

Van Barneveld relishing World Series of Darts return in Bahrain

World Series of Darts

Raymond van Barneveld is determined to show that he can still compete with the sport’s elite when he makes his World Series of Darts return at the Bahrain Darts Masters.

World Champion Smith draws local star in Bahrain Darts Masters

World Series of Darts

Michael Smith will make his first competitive outing as World Champion when he takes on local qualifier Abdulnasser Yusuf in the first round of the Bahrain Darts Masters.

Bahrain Darts Masters spot for Clayton

World Series of Darts

Jonny Clayton will complete the line-up of PDC representatives for the inaugural Bahrain Darts Masters on January 12-13.

Van den Bergh headlines 2023 Nordic Darts Masters field

World Series of Darts

Reigning champion Dimitri Van den Bergh will headline the field at the 2023 Nordic Darts Masters on January 20-21, with the stars for the World Series of Darts event in Copenhagen now confirmed.

Mahmood & Yusuf qualify for Bahrain Darts Masters

World Series of Darts

Bassim Mahmood and Abdulnaser Yusuf have secured their qualification for the 2023 Bahrain Darts Masters

Dimitri Van den Bergh completed a World Series of Darts double with glory in the Viaplay Dutch Darts Masters on Saturday, seeing off home favourite Dirk van Duijvenbode 8-2 in the final.

Van den Bergh had won his maiden World Series title a fortnight ago in the Nordic Darts Masters at Forum Copenhagen, and he doubled his tally in style with a dominant showing at the Ziggo Dome.

Having dropped just two legs in his first round win over Ron Meulenkamp on Friday, the Belgian averaged almost 99 in a 6-1 quarter-final romp against Jermaine Wattimena.

He then powered past UK Open champion Danny Noppert 7-2 in the semi-finals and opened up a 4-0 lead over Van Duijvenbode in the final to move half-way to victory.

The Dutchman hit back in leg five, but Van den Bergh finished 72 for a 14-darter and then pinned double 18 to move 6-1 up.

Van den Bergh saw Van Duijvenbode double his tally in leg eight, despite landing two 180s in the leg, but the Belgian wrapped up proceedings in emphatic style, firing in legs of 13 and 14 darts to prevail with a 104 average.

"It's incredible - I'm very proud," said Van den Bergh. "To only lose seven legs in the event is amazing.

"It's incredible and it's not expected. I don't know if I've broken records but I've got the trophy and that's what I came here for.

"I think I've done a great job in Copenhagen and here and I'm grateful to be invited to play in these World Series events.

"This is the top players in the world and I've won two out of two, so I want to take this into the World Matchplay next month now.

"I'm so happy because I keep achieving my dreams. I want to keep continuing this because it's an incredible feeling. I want to achieve more."

Having seen off four Dutch stars in as many games at the Ziggo Dome to silence the home crowd, he added: "I didn't only play Dirk and the class that Dirk has, but I've also had to play the massive support he had.

"I understand them and I respect Dirk so much. It wasn't hard to play the opponent, I had to be so strong in my mind."

Van Duijvenbode had produced a superb 72 finish in the deciding leg of his entertaining semi-final contest with James Wade, who had checked out a sublime 140 to lead 6-5 before seeing the Dutchman claim the final two legs.

The World Cup semi-finalist had also seen off Martijn Kleermaker 6-4 in the quarter-finals, having knocked out World Champion Peter Wright in the first round, but admitted after the final: "I was just not good enough.

"He played well but I think I could have done better than I did and I'm disappointed that I didn't play a good game.

"I felt great but I felt a little bit unlucky sometimes. It's amazing - I love playing for a crowd that is supporting you as much as they did.

"I'm disappointed I didn't win it, but I could have done worse this weekend. This is the last TV tournament before the [World] Matchplay and I feel ready. Hopefully I'll get another gear for that one - let's go!"

Dutchmen Maik Kuivenhoven and Vincent van der Voort also lost out in the last eight to Wade and Noppert respectively, with six of the eight players from the Netherlands having won through to the second day of action in Amsterdam.

The Viaplay Dutch Darts Masters was the month's third World Series of Darts event, following tournaments in New York and Copenhagen, before the focus now moves to an August treble-header Down Under.

The action begins with PalmerBet Queensland Darts Masters on August 12-13, is followed by the PalmerBet NSW Darts Masters on August 19-20 before crossing to Hamilton for the NZ Darts Masters on August 26-27. For tickets, visit pdc.tv/tickets.

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