Dutch darts sensation Danny Noppert faced a formidable challenge at the World Matchplay and ultimately succumbed to a heavy 10-3 defeat against a resurgent Rob Cross in the first round. Noppert, nicknamed ‘The Freeze,’ struggled to find his top form, particularly on his crucial double attempts, allowing the 2019 champion Cross to dominate from start to finish. This decisive victory sees Cross advance to the second round, where he will face Gerwyn Price, while Noppert makes an early exit from the prestigious tournament.
A Tough Draw Against a Revitalised Champion
Eight Dutch players began their quest for glory at the World Matchplay in Blackpool, and Danny Noppert was the last of them to step onto the iconic stage. Known as ‘The Freeze’ for his calm demeanor, Noppert has been searching for his best form in recent months. This made facing Rob Cross — a former World Champion (2018) and the World Matchplay victor in 2019 — an exceptionally difficult draw. Cross, nicknamed ‘Voltage,’ has been experiencing a strong resurgence in his own game, a fact he immediately showcased in the early stages of this contest.
Cross Dominates Early: A 5-0 Blitz
From the very first throw, Cross was in blistering form, leaving Noppert little room to breathe. He quickly established a commanding lead:
- Cross secured the opening leg in just 12 darts.
- He followed up with another quick leg in 13 darts.
- A crucial moment arrived when Noppert, under pressure, missed five darts at his doubles in the third leg, allowing Cross to snatch it and extend his lead.
- With a superb 128 checkout in 15 darts, and another leg in 16 darts, Cross stormed to an astonishing 5-0 lead.
This early onslaught put Noppert in a near-impossible position, facing a mountain to climb against an opponent playing at the peak of his powers.
Noppert’s Fightback Falls Short
Ranked number 10 in the world, Noppert knew he had to respond. He showed glimpses of his quality, winning two consecutive legs with a 14-darter and a 15-darter. This narrowed the gap to 5-2, offering a glimmer of hope for a comeback.
However, ‘Voltage’ was relentless. Cross quickly reasserted his dominance:
- He regained control with a 17-darter.
- A significant blow came when Noppert narrowly missed a 101 checkout on his preferred double top. Cross immediately capitalised, hitting double 18 to widen the margin further.
- Another swift 13-darter from Cross brought the score to a daunting 8-2.
At this point, it became clear that victory was out of reach for ‘The Freeze’. Despite winning one more leg with a 14-darter to make it 8-3, Cross quickly shut down any remaining resistance. He sealed the match with two more clinical legs in 17 and 16 darts, wrapping up a commanding 10-3 victory.
The Numbers Tell The Story
The statistics from the match clearly illustrate Rob Cross’s superior performance and Danny Noppert’s struggles, particularly on the crucial finishing doubles:
Danny Noppert:
- Average Score: 91.80
- Double Percentage: 27.3% (3 successful doubles from 11 attempts)
Rob Cross:
- Average Score: 97.41
- Double Percentage: 52.6% (10 successful doubles from 19 attempts)
Cross’s significantly higher double percentage was the key differentiator, allowing him to convert his scoring power into successful leg wins with far greater efficiency.
What’s Next?
With this impressive win, Rob Cross advances to the second round of the World Matchplay, where he is set to face fellow former World Champion and current world number one, Gerwyn Price. For Danny Noppert, it’s an early exit and a return to the practice board to rediscover the form that has made him a top-10 player.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
