Kevin Doets made headlines at the European Darts Trophy in Göttingen, delivering one of the most remarkable performances in Euro Tour history. Dominating debutant Jonas Masalin with a flawless 6-0 victory, Doets achieved an astounding average of 117.12 – a personal best and among the highest ever recorded on the tour. This exceptional display secured his spot in the second round, leaving no doubt about his formidable form.
A Masterclass in Göttingen: Doets Dominates Debutant Masalin
The darts world witnessed a truly exceptional display of skill as Dutch sensation Kevin Doets, nicknamed ‘Hawkeye,’ swept aside Jonas Masalin in the opening round of the European Darts Trophy. Masalin, making his Euro Tour debut after qualifying through the Nordic and Baltic qualifiers, faced an opponent in peak form from the very first dart.
An Unstoppable Start
As the first of ten Dutch players to feature in this weekend’s Euro Tour event, Doets wasted no time asserting his dominance. He began the match as the overwhelming favourite, and he certainly played like one. The early stages set the tone for the entire contest:
- Doets held his opening leg with a sharp 12-dart finish.
- Capitalizing on Masalin’s missed opportunities, Doets swiftly secured a crucial break of throw.
- He then confidently consolidated that break in his own leg, before delivering another lightning-fast 12-dart finish to break Masalin again, effectively putting the match beyond reach within moments.
Record-Breaking Average and Flawless Execution
The crowd in Göttingen was treated to a darts masterclass, as Doets showcased phenomenal accuracy and composure throughout the match. His performance wasn’t just about winning; it was about setting new benchmarks.
Key Highlights of Doets’ Performance:
- A stunning 136 checkout for his third 12-dart leg of the match, leaving spectators in awe.
- He saved his absolute best for last, sealing the 6-0 whitewash with an incredible 11-dart finish.
- Doets’ final average stood at an astonishing 117.12, marking his highest-ever performance on stage and ranking as one of the most elite averages ever seen on the European Tour circuit.
This level of play is rarely witnessed, highlighting Doets’ incredible focus and skill under pressure. For Masalin, despite the defeat, sharing the stage with such a performance on his debut will undoubtedly be a memorable, if challenging, experience.
What’s Next for ‘Hawkeye’?
Following this historic victory, Doets now advances to the second round of the European Darts Trophy. His next opponent will be Cam Crabtree.
Interestingly, Doets was originally scheduled to face darts superstar Jonny Clayton, known as ‘The Ferret.’ However, Clayton was forced to withdraw from the tournament due to physical reasons, paving the way for Crabtree to step in. Doets will be looking to carry this phenomenal momentum into his clash with Crabtree on Saturday evening.
Match Statistics at a Glance
The numbers speak volumes about the one-sided nature of this encounter:
- Kevin Doets: Average 117.12 / Checkout Percentage 50%
- Jonas Masalin: Average 75.50 / Checkout Percentage 0%
Doets’ clinical finishing, converting 50% of his doubles, combined with his relentless scoring, left Masalin with no opportunities to get on the scoreboard. This dominant performance firmly establishes Kevin Doets as a player to watch closely in Göttingen and beyond.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
