Danny Noppert, the 2022 UK Open champion, delivered a stunning performance to effortlessly secure his spot in the last 16 of this year’s UK Open in Minehead. Facing a struggling two-time world champion Peter Wright, Noppert dominated from start to finish, ultimately cruising to a convincing 10-2 victory. This commanding win, achieved despite Noppert admitting he wasn’t fully fit, sends a strong message to his competitors.
Noppert’s Unstoppable Start Against Struggling Wright
The highly anticipated last 32 clash saw Danny Noppert, the first Dutchman in action on the second day, take on darts legend Peter Wright. Wright, a two-time world champion known as ‘Snakebite’, has been openly battling a dip in form recently. Adding to the intrigue, Noppert, nicknamed ‘The Freeze’, had revealed after his impressive 10-4 win against Dimitri van den Bergh (which included a rare nine-darter) on Friday evening that he wasn’t feeling 100% physically.
Despite his reported fitness concerns, Noppert began the match with remarkable intensity, immediately asserting his dominance. He swiftly claimed the first three legs, setting an early and significant lead that Wright found impossible to overcome.
Dominance Continues: Wright Struggles to Keep Pace
Wright managed to get on the scoreboard with a 16-dart leg, offering a brief glimmer of hope. However, this proved to be an anomaly rather than a turning point. Noppert’s scoring power was simply too superior for the Scot to match. The Dutchman consistently extended his lead, showcasing his clinical finishing with impressive checkouts, including a 71 and an 87, alongside a rapid 12-dart leg. This relentless pressure saw the score quickly escalate to a formidable 6-1 in favour of Noppert.
A Near Nine-Darter and Wright’s Brief Fightback
The eighth leg brought a moment of high drama. ‘The Freeze’ opened with two consecutive 180s, putting him in prime position for another spectacular nine-darter – a feat he had achieved just the night before. However, the seventh dart narrowly missed its mark, denying him perfection. Adding to the twist, Noppert surprisingly lost the leg, allowing Wright to snatch it with a magnificent 135 checkout via the bullseye. This brief fightback continued into the next leg, where Wright had an opportunity to break Noppert’s throw but agonizingly missed a crucial dart at tops. Noppert capitalised, holding his own leg. The final leg before the mid-match break also went to Noppert in 14 darts, solidifying his commanding lead at 8-2.
The Clinical Finish: Noppert Seals the Deal
After the short interval, Noppert wasted no time in closing out the match. He secured his own leg with a 17-dart finish, reaching match point. In the very next leg, he put an emphatic stamp on his performance, finishing with a sensational 142 checkout in just 12 darts. This stylish conclusion sealed a resounding 10-2 victory over ‘Snakebite’.
Noppert’s performance was a masterclass in consistent scoring and precise finishing, especially impressive given his earlier admission of not being fully fit. Wright, on the other hand, was unable to find the form that has made him a multiple world champion, struggling to match Noppert’s intensity and accuracy.
Key Match Statistics:
- Danny Noppert: Average 99.97, Double Percentage 38.5%
- Peter Wright: Average 88.27, Double Percentage 40%
The draw for the last 16 of the UK Open was scheduled to take place shortly after the match, around 6:00 PM local time, with Noppert firmly established as a strong contender.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
