Darts fans eagerly awaited the return of former major champion José de Sousa to the MODUS Super Series, but Day One brought unexpected twists. While de Sousa showed flashes of brilliance, it was Belgium’s Andy Baetens who stole the show, topping the leaderboard with a dominant performance. De Sousa currently sits in third, highlighting a fiercely competitive Group A where every player remains in contention for the crucial qualifying spots. This sets the stage for a thrilling week of darts!
The Return of ‘The Special One’ and the Rise of a Belgian Star
The atmosphere was electric as José de Sousa, known as ‘The Special One’ and a former PDC major champion, stepped back onto the MODUS Super Series stage for Week Three (Series 15), Group A. Expectations were sky-high for the Portuguese star, whose unique style and proven pedigree promised an exciting return. However, the six-player field quickly proved to be a formidable challenge.
Instead of de Sousa immediately dominating, it was Belgium’s Andy Baetens who seized the early initiative. Returning to the Super Series for the first time since April, Baetens delivered an outstanding performance, winning four out of his five matches on Monday. His victories included strong showings against Arne Spee, de Sousa himself, Dylan Slevin, and Paul Krohne. Only a late defeat to Killian Heffernan prevented a perfect day, leaving Baetens at the top of the table with eight points, holding a slight advantage in leg-difference over Krohne, who also amassed eight points.
De Sousa’s Mixed Bag: Glimpses of Brilliance, Tough Losses
José de Sousa’s opening day was, as often is characteristic of his play, a blend of brilliant highs and frustrating lows. He secured third place on six points, demonstrating his scoring power and finishing ability in key moments.
De Sousa’s Day One Highlights:
- Clinical Whitewashes: De Sousa delivered dominant 4-0 victories against both Dylan Slevin and Arne Spee, showcasing his top form.
- Nail-biting Win: He also edged out Killian Heffernan in a tight 4-3 contest, proving his mettle under pressure.
However, the Portuguese star faced significant hurdles against the group’s top performers. He was unable to find an answer to Andy Baetens, suffering a 0-4 defeat, and narrowly lost a close match to Paul Krohne with a 3-4 scoreline. These results underscored the intense competition within Group A, a group that was correctly identified as far from straightforward even before play began.
Group A Standings: A Tightly Contested Battle
After the first day, the standings reflect a truly competitive group, with all players still very much in the hunt for the coveted qualifying spots.
Current Standings After Day One:
- 1st: Andy Baetens (Belgium) – 8 points (4 wins, 1 loss)
- 2nd: Paul Krohne (Germany) – 8 points (4 wins, 1 loss)
- 3rd: José de Sousa (Portugal) – 6 points (3 wins, 2 losses)
- 4th: Killian Heffernan (Ireland) – 4 points (2 wins, 3 losses)
- 5th: Dylan Slevin (Ireland) – 2 points (1 win, 4 losses)
- 6th: Arne Spee (Netherlands) – 2 points (1 win, 4 losses)
Killian Heffernan’s four points came from two three-leg victories, including a notable upset win over the leader, Baetens. Meanwhile, Dylan Slevin and Arne Spee are currently propping up the standings with two points each, but with many matches left, their chances are far from over.
What’s Next? The Road to the Finale
What began as a narrative centered around de Sousa’s grand return has quickly evolved into a captivating story of Baetens’ clinical precision and a deeply competitive Group A. The fifteen matches played on Monday featured several close encounters, including three decided by a narrow 4-3 margin, confirming that this “European-flavoured” section offers no easy ride.
The big question now is whether José de Sousa can find the consistency needed to complement his moments of brilliance. Will he secure Wednesday’s direct qualifying slot for the Series Finale, or will he need to take the longer route through the week’s match practice to reach Saturday’s grand conclusion? The top two players from each group qualify directly for the Saturday finale, with others potentially getting a second chance via later stages.
Play resumes on Tuesday at 9:30 AM BST, with all six players returning to battle it out. Every match will be crucial in determining who advances to Saturday’s Finale and ultimately, Champions Week. Fans can follow the daily action through official broadcast partners and platforms that cover the MODUS Super Series, ensuring they don’t miss a single dart in this thrilling competition.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
