Wattimena’s Masterclass: Dutch Darts Ace Secures Commanding 2-0 Win Over Dobey at World Grand Prix
In a surprising display of dominance, Dutch darts sensation Jermaine Wattimena, known as ‘The Machine Gun’, secured a straightforward 2-0 set victory over England’s Chris Dobey at the World Grand Prix in Leicester. Despite being closely ranked, Wattimena capitalized on Dobey’s early struggles with doubles, delivering a commanding performance that saw him comfortably advance to the second round, where he will face either Luke Humphries or Dave Chisnall.
A Clash of Close Rivals Turns into a One-Sided Affair
The second day of the World Grand Prix kicked off with what promised to be a thrilling encounter between two closely matched competitors. Chris Dobey, ranked 16th in the world, faced off against Jermaine Wattimena, hot on his heels at world number 17. Their previous meeting had seen Wattimena emerge victorious, setting the stage for a potentially tense rematch. However, what unfolded was a masterclass from the Dutchman, who made light work of his English opponent.
Set One: Dobey’s Double Trouble Paves the Way
The opening set immediately revealed Dobey’s vulnerability. Nicknamed ‘Hollywood’, Dobey **missed a crucial four darts at the doubles** in the very first leg – a significant setback in the double-in, double-out format where players must hit a double to start and finish each leg. This proved to be a costly error, as Wattimena swiftly capitalized, securing a break of throw with a sharp 15-dart leg. While Wattimena then missed his own opportunity in the following leg, allowing Dobey to level, ‘The Machine Gun’ quickly regained his composure. He closed out the set with an 18-darter, **establishing a vital 1-0 lead**.
Set Two: Wattimena Maintains Control for a Commanding Win
Entering the second set, Wattimena seemed poised to quickly break Dobey again. However, Dobey showed a flash of brilliance, hitting a **stunning 128 checkout on double ten** to hold his throw and prevent an early deficit. This brief resurgence, however, wasn’t enough to turn the tide. Two legs later, Dobey found double five to stay in the match, making the score 2-2 in the set. But Wattimena was relentless, immediately responding with a 16-darter to put himself on **match point**. In the decisive fifth leg of the second set, Dobey managed to hit his opening double, but it was Wattimena who then powered through, sealing the victory with an impressive 14-darter. This flawless finish secured a **straight-sets 2-0 victory** for the Dutchman.
Key Match Statistics:
- Jermaine Wattimena: Average – 86.55, Double Percentage – 40%
- Chris Dobey: Average – 79.93, Double Percentage – 30%
The statistics clearly underscore Wattimena’s superior performance, particularly his higher accuracy on the crucial doubles, which is paramount in the World Grand Prix format.
What’s Next for ‘The Machine Gun’?
With this convincing win, Jermaine Wattimena confidently progresses to the second round of the World Grand Prix. His next challenge will be a formidable one, as he is set to face the winner of the highly anticipated match between **Luke Humphries and Dave Chisnall**. Fans will be eager to see if ‘The Machine Gun’ can maintain his impressive form against another top-tier opponent.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
