We are entering the crucial phase now, whit the quarter finals coming up.
The last matches of the second round were played yesterday and here Rob Cross was somewhat surprisingly eliminated from the tournament by Darren Webster who won by 11-8. In addition, Simon Whitlock took his first win over James Wade in 2018 when he won 11-7 in a match in which both, but especially Whitlock, played with a very good level.
The two favorites Mensur Suljovic and Peter Wright also played on to the quarterfinals as they won 11-8 and 11-5 respectively.
Today, it is time for two of the total four quarter finals.
In the first match we have the sensation Jeffrey de Zwaan, who can not be shaken just because you are called Adrian Lewis or Michael van Gerwen. He is heading for Dave Chisnall, who has also shown a very nice level during this tournament. This match could be something of a horror and it is not at all unthinkable that the young Dutchman continues on to the semifinals.
In the evening’s second match, Joe Cullen meets Gary Anderson. Joe Cullen has so far had a relatively easy run in the tournament when he first beat Gerwin Price by 10-3 and subsequently Daryl Gurney by 11-3. Now he is going to meet much more resistance, but he will know that. The two have met eight times and right now, there is a tie between them. Gary, however, resembles one who has refound his form, so it could indicate that the quarterfinal will be the end for Joe Cullen.
In the quarter finals they play best of 31 legs. So first to 16. As usual they have to win by two legs.
Thursday July 26
Quarter finals
Jeffrey de Zwaan v Dave Chisnall
Joe Cullen v Gary Anderson