Dutch darts sensation Wessel Nijman delivered a spectacular performance at the Poland Darts Open, securing his spot in the quarterfinals with a dominant 6-1 victory over Scotland’s Cameron Menzies. Averaging over 102, Nijman left Menzies little chance, setting up an eagerly anticipated all-Dutch quarterfinal clash against fellow talent Gian van Veen. This win solidifies Nijman’s reputation as one of the sport’s most exciting rising stars.
Nijman’s Road to the Quarterfinals
The Last 16 match at the Poland Darts Open in Krakow featured two unseeded players, both having already impressed in the tournament.
- Wessel Nijman, the talented Dutchman, had previously showcased his skill by defeating Thomas Lovely (6-3) and the legendary Gary Anderson (6-2) in earlier rounds.
- Cameron Menzies, the Scottish challenger, also proved his worth by overcoming Ritchie Edhouse (6-4) and delivering a clean sweep against the experienced James Wade (6-0).
Match Breakdown: Nijman’s Clinical Performance
Nijman started the match with incredible focus and precision, leaving Menzies struggling to keep pace.
The key moments of the match unfolded as follows:
- Leg 1: Nijman holds his throw with a confident 76-finish, setting the tone early.
- Leg 2: First break for Nijman! The Dutchman immediately delivered a significant blow, breaking Menzies’ throw with a rapid 14-darter.
- Leg 3: Nijman consolidates his lead. He followed up by hitting his second 180 of the match and closed out the leg with a 68-finish, extending his lead to a commanding 3-0.
- Leg 4: Another break for Nijman. His relentless pressure saw him secure a fourth consecutive leg, further widening the gap.
- Leg 5: Menzies fights back. The Scot finally found his rhythm, breaking Nijman’s throw with an impressive 11-darter to get on the scoreboard at 4-1.
- Leg 6: Nijman’s stunning response. Menzies’ glimmer of hope was short-lived as Nijman immediately broke back with a spectacular 116-finish, making the score 5-1. This effectively ended any chance of a comeback for Menzies.
- Leg 7: Victory sealed. Nijman completed his dominant performance by taking out 63, securing a resounding 6-1 win.
Dominant Statistics and What’s Next
The statistics perfectly illustrate Nijman’s superior performance:
- Wessel Nijman: Average 102.00, Double Percentage 60%
- Cameron Menzies: Average 90.33, Double Percentage 100%
While Menzies incredibly hit 100% of his doubles, Nijman’s significantly higher scoring average meant Menzies had very few opportunities to even attempt a double. Nijman’s consistent scoring power and clinical finishing proved overwhelming.
This emphatic victory sets the stage for a highly anticipated all-Dutch quarterfinal on Sunday evening. Darts fans are eagerly awaiting the clash between two of the Netherlands’ brightest young talents: Gian van Veen against Wessel Nijman. This promises to be a thrilling encounter showcasing the future of Dutch darts.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
