Ryan Joyce delivered a stunning performance at the World Grand Prix, sweeping aside Danny Noppert with a dominant 3-0 victory to secure his spot in the quarter-finals. Joyce’s exceptional finishing ability proved decisive, leaving Noppert with few answers. This impressive win follows Joyce’s earlier upset of darts titan Michael van Gerwen, cementing his status as a serious contender in the tournament.
Setting the Stage: A Clash of Round Two Victors
Wednesday evening marked the beginning of the second round at the prestigious World Grand Prix, a tournament renowned for its unique ‘double-in, double-out’ format where players must start and end each leg by hitting a double segment on the board. The opening match of the night pitted Danny Noppert, nicknamed ‘The Freeze’, against the tenacious Englishman Ryan Joyce, known as ‘Relentless’.
Both players entered this clash having navigated tough first-round encounters:
- Danny Noppert had secured his spot by overcoming Germany’s Niko Springer with a 2-1 set victory.
- Ryan Joyce created a major stir by surprisingly eliminating the reigning champion and darts superstar Michael van Gerwen, also with a 2-1 set score.
The stage was set for an intriguing battle, but it was Joyce who would ultimately dominate.
Match Breakdown: Joyce’s Clinical Masterclass
Set 1: Joyce Seizes Control
Danny Noppert began the match, but the early legs saw both players hold their throws. The turning point came in the third leg. Noppert, with an opportunity to break, missed two crucial darts at a double. Joyce ruthlessly punished these errors, hitting a fantastic 96-finish to secure the break. He then quickly followed up with a 72-finish in the next leg, wrapping up the first set 3-1 and immediately putting Noppert under pressure.
Set 2: Extending the Lead with Precision
The second set saw both competitors start brightly, each holding their opening leg with impressive 14-dart finishes. Joyce continued his consistent form, holding his own throw again in 16 darts to take a 2-1 lead in the set. Noppert, however, found himself struggling to find his scoring rhythm in the fourth leg. Capitalising on Noppert’s dip, Joyce swept in to win the set 3-1, extending his commanding lead to 2-0 in sets.
Set 3: The Final Blow
After a brief interval, ‘The Freeze’ returned, managing to hold the first leg of the third set with a comfortable 63-finish. Joyce swiftly responded, levelling the set at 1-1 after Noppert failed to hit a double to ‘open’ his leg in the required first four darts. What followed was a truly exceptional leg from ‘Relentless’. Joyce produced a brilliant 100-finish in just 14 darts, breaking Noppert’s throw for a second time in the match and moving to a 2-1 lead in the set. With victory in sight, Joyce showed no signs of faltering, closing out the match in the very next leg with another strong 96-finish. This sealed a comprehensive 3-0 set victory, completing a clinical performance.
Key Statistics: The Difference in Finishing
The match statistics clearly illustrate the decisive factor in Joyce’s victory:
- Ryan Joyce: Average 86.04 / Double Percentage 69.2%
- Danny Noppert: Average 85.99 / Double Percentage 30%
While both players had similar scoring averages, Joyce’s extraordinary 69.2% success rate on his crucial ‘double-out’ attempts was the overwhelming difference. In darts, a ‘finish’ or ‘checkout’ is the final score required to win a leg, which must always end on a double segment or the bullseye. Joyce’s ability to consistently hit these vital doubles under pressure left Noppert, who struggled with less than half of Joyce’s double success, with virtually no chance.
What’s Next for ‘Relentless’?
With his impressive 3-0 triumph, Ryan Joyce now eagerly awaits his quarter-final opponent. He will face the winner of the match between Luke Woodhouse and Nathan Aspinall, scheduled to play later on Wednesday evening. Joyce’s dominant display has certainly marked him as a dark horse to watch at this year’s World Grand Prix.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
