This Week In Darts – 20th Of April 2024

Xiaochen Zong convincingly grabbed final victory in the PDC China Premier League this past Sunday, with “The Pandaman” conceding only four legs during the playoffs.

For those who don’t know, the format of the PDC China Premier League is similar to the regular Premier League in Europe, with the Chinese version consisting of seven rounds of play.

In the final, Zong won 10-3 over Liu Yuanjun, while competitor Chengan Liu qualified for the final match with a 10-4 victory over Zheng Bin. The final was a rather one-sided affair however, with Zong defeating “Stone Buddah” 11-1 to crown himself winner of the tournament. Both finalists may now compete on behalf of China at the World Cup Of Darts this coming June.

German darter Martin Schindler is all smiles this week after winning a professional PDC tournament for the first time in his career. Schindler defeated reigning champ Gerwyn Price 8-5 in the final of the International Darts Open this past Sunday, and couldn’t be happier about it!

“My knees are shaking right now,” Schindler says, who, thanks to this title win, rises to 22nd in the world rankings, becoming the top German.

“It’s just crazy. I’ve been playing this tour for seven to eight years now. It’s been such a long journey, and now I’m standing here with one of these beautiful trophies.”

“I could never have dreamed of this ten years ago, but I have worked so hard for this, I’ve invested so much and right now, I might just be the happiest man on earth. I want to be one of the best dart players in the world, and when you win a title on the European Tour, I think you are one of the best.”

Schindler wrapped things up by revealing he came to Riesa with one goal in mind. “My main priority for me was to improve my ranking for the World Matchplay and the World Grand Prix and that went completely to plan. I’m so happy about that, and I’m so happy to win this trophy.”

Congratulations to the 2024 Neo.bet Darts Open Champion!

Benjamin Drue Reus has signed a new contract with Unicorn Darts, which means that he’ll be playing with product from the well known manufacturer in the near future.

Drue Reus is a Danish darter who currently holds a PDC Tour Card, which he won back in January at the European Q-School in Hildesheim. Prior to this, Drue Reus impressed onlookers by throwing an average of 114 in a pairing match at the World Cup of Darts against Austria.

Recently, Drue Reus also signed a contract with Dunvegan Enterprises Darts, the same management agency that fellow athletes Gary Anderson and Cameron Menzies call home. Both players are also sponsored by Unicorn Darts, along with the likes of James Wade, Ross Smith, Callan Rydz, Madars Razma, Ian White and Jeffrey de Zwaan respectively.

FROM THE EXPERTS

While Michael van Gerwen may have won big in Birmingham, commentator Stuart Pyke feels the Dutchman will still end up missing out on the year end play-offs.

Despite winning four nights and sitting ahead of Nathan Aspinall, Pyke says that he just doesn’t see darts as Van Gerwen’s highest priority right now.

“I do think Michael van Gerwen may miss out because I just don’t think he’s been on it. He’s been on holiday a lot and you see pictures of him and his family. I just think sometimes there’s more important things in life and maybe at the moment for Van Gerwen darts isn’t a high priority,” Pyke revealed in a chat with Sky Sports.

“I think it’s just sparkling every week. Of course Luke Littler has brought the X-Factor and everyone tuning in to watch Luke Littler and that’s just the simple fact of it. The figures are through the roof for the Premier League meaning people want to tune in on Thursday and watch Luke Littler and it’s not to say that all the other players are bit part players but that’s just the truth of the matter.”

Do you agree with Pyke’s comments?

Does The Dutchman have what it takes to reach the play-offs this year, or do you feel he’s more interested in packing things up in favour of more important things?

Night 12 sees the Premier League Darts heading out to Rotterdam tonight, where a quarter-final with Michael Smith awaits Luke Littler.

“The bigger the arena, the better I play, so I’m really looking forward to tomorrow night,” the teen sensation said in his press conference Wednesday. “The first five or six weeks were tough, but I think I’ve really settled into the tournament now.”

With the majority of the 16 nights already played, Littler finds himself sitting at the top, an impressive feat given that most felt the 17-year-old wasn’t ready for the rigours of the Premier League.

“Coming into the Premier League, I thought if I made the O2 for Finals Night that would be a massive achievement, so to be top of the league after 11 nights is just a bonus,” Littler assesses. “Michael [Smith] won’t put too much pressure on himself but he knows he needs to win to keep up with the top four, and I just want to keep going.”

Night 12 of Premier League Darts airs tonight on Sky Sports at 19:00, so be sure to set your DVRs!