In a dramatic turn of events at the International Darts Open in Riesa, Dutch darts ace Jermaine Wattimena suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Ryan Joyce, despite having six chances to win the match. Known as ‘The Machine Gun’, Wattimena’s valiant comeback was overshadowed by his failure to convert crucial match darts in the deciding leg, allowing his English opponent, ‘Relentless’ Ryan Joyce, to snatch a 6-5 victory and advance to the quarterfinals.
The Battle for Riesa: A Rollercoaster Match
Jermaine Wattimena had fought tooth and nail just to reach the final day of the International Darts Open, overcoming a nervy last leg against Bradley Brooks. His next challenge was Ryan Joyce, who had already dispatched fellow Dutchmen Jeffrey Sparidaans and Christian Kist, setting the stage for a tense encounter.
The match began with Joyce asserting early dominance. ‘Relentless’ lived up to his nickname, firing off legs in just 11 and 15 darts to take a commanding lead. Wattimena, however, quickly found his rhythm, responding with a 14-dart leg to stay in contention. Joyce maintained pressure, but a crucial miss on a 109 checkout prevented him from extending his lead to a comfortable 4-1.
Wattimena’s Resurgent Form
This missed opportunity proved to be a turning point. Wattimena seized the moment, orchestrating a rapid comeback. He reeled off three consecutive legs in 17, 15, and 13 darts, not only wiping out Joyce’s lead but surging ahead to a 4-3 advantage. A stunning 99 finish, expertly executed with two double-twenties, delivered a significant psychological blow to Joyce.
Despite the setback, Joyce showed resilience, recovering with a sharp 68 checkout. Yet, Wattimena’s game continued to elevate. His precision improved, culminating in an impressive 12-dart leg that saw his average climb above the 100 mark. The momentum seemed to be firmly with ‘The Machine Gun’. However, Joyce had one more twist in store, hitting a 76 checkout in leg ten to force a decisive eleventh leg.
Heartbreak in the Decider: Six Missed Match Darts
The tension was palpable as the match headed into a winner-takes-all leg. Much like his previous match on Saturday, Wattimena struggled with his finishing doubles. This time, however, the consequences were far more severe. In a moment of sheer agony for the Dutch contingent, Wattimena stood at the oche with six opportunities to seal the victory, only to miss every single one.
A “match dart” is a dart thrown at a double segment to win the current leg and, if that leg is the last required, to win the entire match. Missing six of these in succession is incredibly rare and devastating for a professional player.
Ryan Joyce, presented with this unexpected gift, gratefully accepted. ‘Relentless’ calmly stepped up and capitalized on Wattimena’s misfortune, closing out the leg and the match 6-5. The win propels Joyce into the quarter-finals, where he will face the formidable Rob Cross.
Match Statistics: A Tale of Two Finishers
The statistics reflect the tight nature of the contest, yet highlight the crucial difference in finishing:
- Ryan Joyce: Average 96.99 / Double Percentage 50%
- Jermaine Wattimena: Average 96.08 / Double Percentage 35.7%
While Wattimena posted a strong average, his lower double percentage, particularly in the decisive moments, proved to be his undoing. For Joyce, it was a hard-fought victory snatched from the jaws of defeat, a testament to his ‘relentless’ spirit.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
