Drama unfolded on the oche at the PDC World Darts Championship quarterfinals as top seeds faced early exits at the hands of hungry challengers. In the opening match, world number three Michael van Gerwen narrowly avoided a seismic upset, surviving match darts from the unheralded Callan Rydz to prevail 5-4 in a nail-biter.
The young Englishman Rydz, ranked 43rd in the world, threw everything at the three-time champion. With superior scoring including nine maximums, the 26-year-old had darts to win three of the five sets claimed by van Gerwen. But the Dutchman’s class shone through in the pivotal moments as he wriggled free to stay alive in his quest for a fourth world title.
For a little town like Bedlington to have two lads in the semi-finals would be amazing. I do believe he can do it and I’m praying we get that clash.
– Chris Dobey on a potential semi-final meeting with Callan Rydz
Dobey dumps out depleted Price
The second quarterfinal saw an even bigger shock as world number 22 Chris Dobey took out the top-ranked Gerwyn Price 5-3. After racing to a 2-0 lead, Price’s doubling abandoned him mid-match, allowing Dobey to embark on a stunning four-set winning streak.
Dobey served for the match at 4-2 but astonishingly missed five darts at double to let Price back in. However, the Englishman regrouped with admirable composure, holding his nerve to finally close it out 5-3 with his sixth match dart. The crushing loss for Price continues his Ally Pally hoodoo, having never advanced beyond the quarterfinals.
- Dobey hit 12 maximums to Price’s 6
- Dobey averaged 95.38 to Price’s 92.74
- Dobey said he was “overwhelmed” and had “never been so nervous” throwing for the match
Wide open field in race for glory
With Gerwyn Price joining Peter Wright, Michael Smith and Rob Cross in surprise early exits, the field has been blown wide open in the race for the Sid Waddell Trophy. For van Gerwen and Dobey, opportunity knocks if they can negotiate tricky semifinal clashes.
Awaiting Dobey will be the winner of van Gerwen’s showdown with his compatriot Dirk van Duijvenbode. Having seen off Rydz, Mighty Mike will take some stopping, although van Duijvenbode’s unorthodox style could present problems. Luke Littler meets Josh Rock in the other semifinal after the young guns toppled big names Jonny Clayton and Nathan Aspinall.
As the Circus Tavern braces for fireworks over the coming days, one thing is for certain – a rollercoaster ride lies ahead for the remaining contenders and a new name will be etched onto the trophy. In this most unpredictable of tournaments, writing off the underdogs has already proven foolish. More shocks could well be in store as this unmissable World Championship hurtles towards a dramatic conclusion.
