Chris Dobey’s Darts Masterclass: Wattimena Swept Aside at World Masters Opener
Chris Dobey kicked off his World Masters campaign with an emphatic statement, delivering a dominant 3-0 straight-sets victory over Jermaine Wattimena in the main tournament’s opening match. ‘Hollywood’ Dobey showcased exceptional form, boasting a near-100 average and a stellar checkout percentage, leaving Wattimena struggling to keep pace. This commanding performance immediately positions Dobey as a player to watch in Milton Keynes.
Opening Night Thrills at the World Masters
The highly anticipated main tournament of the World Masters officially commenced on Thursday evening in Milton Keynes. The prestigious event’s second edition promised high-stakes darts, and the very first match set a high standard, though it was a one-sided affair.
The Contenders: Dobey vs. Wattimena
The opening clash pitted England’s Chris Dobey, seeded 13th, against the Netherlands’ Jermaine Wattimena, seeded 18th. For both players, this marked their inaugural match of the new season, having received direct qualification to the main tournament rather than participating in the earlier World Series events in the Middle East. Interestingly, their head-to-head record prior to this encounter heavily favored Wattimena, who held a **7-3 lead over Dobey**, making Dobey’s subsequent performance even more impressive.
Match Breakdown: A Dominant Performance
Set 1: Dobey’s Immediate Response
Despite Dobey throwing first, it was Wattimena who snatched the opening leg with a precise double 4. However, Dobey was quick to retaliate. He immediately broke back with a sensational **12-darter, achieved by hitting six perfect darts** early in the leg, showcasing his intent. Dobey then held his own throw in 14 darts to secure the first set 2-1 in legs.
Set 2: ‘Hollywood’ Takes the Reins
Carrying the momentum from his first-set comeback, Dobey continued to dictate play. Wattimena found himself consistently **struggling to match Dobey’s scoring power**. ‘Hollywood’ capitalised, breaking Wattimena in the first leg of the second set with a solid 16-darter. He then followed this up with a clinical **86 checkout**, sealing the second set 2-0 and extending his lead to 2-0 in sets.
Set 3: Sealing the Victory
The third set saw a slightly closer contest, with both players holding their throws initially. At a crucial 1-1 stage in the legs, Wattimena had a golden opportunity, requiring an 87 finish and having **one dart at double 5 to take the lead in the set**. He agonizingly missed. Dobey, demonstrating his cool under pressure, seized the moment, hitting **double 18 to wrap up the match 3-0 in sets** (with leg scores of 2-1, 2-0, 2-1 across the sets).
Key Statistics: The Numbers Don’t Lie
The match statistics clearly illustrate Dobey’s superiority on the night:
- Chris Dobey:
- Average: 99.36
- Double Percentage: 54.5%
- Jermaine Wattimena:
- Average: 89.73
- Double Percentage: 40%
Dobey’s impressive average, nearly 10 points higher than Wattimena’s, combined with his clinical finishing, proved too much for the Dutchman. This dominant victory ensures Dobey’s progression in the World Masters and sends a clear message to his fellow competitors about his formidable form.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
