Monday, January 03, 2022
Peter Wright in the Darts World Cup final
“What a match, it was phenomenal”
From Kevin Schulte
Peter Wright and Michael Smith are in the final of the Darts World Cup 2022. Wright could win the title for the second time. He has already made history in a breathtaking semi-final against Gary Anderson.
Professional darts are rarely satisfied. Stars like Peter Wright even less often. What the Scot says after his victory in the World Cup semi-finals against compatriot Gary Anderson is all the more highly valued: “This is the best game I have ever played.” Wright is then asked whether the game overshadows his biggest win to date, the 2020 World Cup final against Michael van Gerwen. “Yes, seriously. Michael van Gerwen didn’t play as well as Gary Anderson. What a darts game, that was phenomenal.”
Not only the victory with a fantastic average of 104 points per recording ensures the unusual feelings of happiness with the mostly critical Wright. The 51-year-old had thrown an incredible 24 (!) 180 shots in the almost two-hour marathon match. This is a new world record.
The top score to date was set by Gary Anderson of all people, in 2017 in the lost World Cup final against Michael van Gerwen, the “Flying Soctsman” achieved the highest number of points 22 times. “It was incredible to have played this game. Hopefully it was great for the crowd and the crowd at home,” said Wright after the 6-4 win.
Wright scrapes past the nine-darter
The 2020 world champion lays the foundation for victory in the early stages in the duel between the two 51-year-olds. Wright puts pressure on his opponent again and again with a series of high scores. Anderson doesn’t play badly, but he can’t keep up with Wright at first. The first three sentences all go to “Snakebite”, as the world number two is called.
But then Anderson starts an impressive comeback. The world champions from 2015 and 2016 secured set four with a double double 18 checkout. And set five also goes spectacularly to the sixth in the world rankings. Anderson brings 105 points under pressure to zero. With the score of 3: 2 for Wright, the match is initially open again.
And she should have some special moments in store for the fans at London’s Alexandra Palace. Wright started the second leg of the sixth set with two 180s. The nine-darter is possible. Dart seven lands in triple 20, dart eight in triple 19, only the last one does not find its way to the goal, lands below the required double 12. What is much more important for Wright anyway: He wins the set, moves back to 4 : 2 of them.
Then Anderson is challenged again. He wins the seventh set, but cannot turn the game around completely. Whenever necessary, Wright shakes a 180 out of his sleeve and sets it to 5: 3. Anderson, who throws the maximum score 15 times, stays on, shortened to 5: 4.
“Enjoyed the game very much”
In sentence ten, however, Wright has the final say in an epic darts battle between the Scottish warhorses. Anderson, who initially takes the lead in the tenth set, does not get the game on his side. In the last leg of the set, Wright throws a 180 right at the beginning. Anderson counters, also hits the triple 20 segment three times. But Wright is there at the checkout, using his first match dart at the 116 checkout.
“To win against Gary Anderson, one of the greatest darts players of all time, is incredible,” said Wright after the dramatic game. His inferior compatriot congratulates fairly. “Played well, Peter. I have to admit, I really enjoyed the game.” The final between Wright and Michael Smith will be a “cracker,” writes Anderson on Twitter.
“I deserve it”
Wright’s final opponent Michael Smith had prevailed in the first semifinals with 6: 3 against James Wade. In the purely English duel, the “Bully Boy” can play out his strengths over long distances. Wade does not keep up with the scoring. In the world number four, there were only five 180 recordings in the end, Smith got 16 high scores. “I worked hard for this success. You don’t get everything in life, I deserve it. I’m in a better mental state now, that made all the difference,” said Smith.
The 31-year-old is in the World Cup final for the second time since 2019. Smith is still waiting for his first major title, the Englishman has not yet won a major ranking tournament. Does the wait end in the World Cup final of all places? “I really wanted to get the chance to make up for the defeat three years ago. Now I have it,” said Smith after his sovereign success in the semi-finals.
Smith quickly took a 2-0 lead. Wade had a strong moment checking a high finish under pressure to win the third set. A few minutes later, “The Machine” left a similar chance to equalize 2-2. That was the preliminary decision, Smith stormed away to 5-1. Wade then ran again, but in the end the victory for the world number ninth was never in danger.
“Burns like hell”
In the final on Monday evening (from 9 p.m. German time), Smith is a slight outsider due to Wright’s furious semi-final performance. Especially since the “Bully Boy” has lost all games against the Scots in major tournaments, an impressive eleven (!) In number. However, Smith hadn’t won against James Wade before 2022. That should give Smith hope for a final coup.
In addition, Peter Wright has something to complain about even after the “best game of his career”. He “sustained a knee injury a few days ago,” said the ex-world champion. “I have a bandage and it burns like hell. I need to rest.” Wright doesn’t expect the injury to affect his performance: “It’s all right again for the final.”