After being passed over by James Wade, the reigning champion Nathan Aspinall will be dethroned at the 2024 Betfred World Matchplay, while Ross Smith continues his incredible recent form after sending Welshman Gerwyn Price packing in Round Two. It was a relatively routine display from both Luke Humphries and Dimitri van den Bergh as both progress.

The Machine proves too much for the Asp

Probably the biggest surprise of the World Matchplay so far, occurred in Round two as James Wade oversaw the current World Matchplay Champion Nathan Aspinall. It is no secret that Aspinall has had difficulty since sustaining an elbow injury, and it was more evident in his game against the Machine where he averaged a mere 87.14 and only acquired eight of the nineteen legs.

Without answer, the Machine surged in a four-leg lead early on and led 4-1 going into the first break. He would, however, lose the next three on the spin. The next six legs would be traded after the two drew the game at 5-5.

Wade would take control of the match in leg 17 thanks to a crucial break of throw, which would also serve as the ideal momentum boost as he would win the next two legs to seal the victory.

Wade only managed one maximum while Aspinall achieved three while playing through the pain barrier. This, which isn’t usually associated with the Machine, more surprisingly took until the last leg of the match.

Smith into the Top Ten

Sublime Smith fired in thirteen 180s in his victory over the Price. The Welsh number one has had form issues the entire year, and his difficulties were evident once more.

Even though he got off to a strong start and won the first two legs, he would trail three legs to two, to Smudger, at the first break. But a highlight would follow soon after, when in leg six of the contest, the Iceman would produce a stunning 114 – this would also be the only ton plus checkout from either.

In an odd turn of events, from leg seven to thirteen, each would be a won as a break of throw, and Gerwyn would edge ahead 7–6.

Ross Smith struggled on the outer ring, missing a total of 25 darts at a double, despite an incredible 13 maximums as previously mentioned.

It is evident that if he had been more successful on the doubles, his average would have exceeded 100, but because of his difficulties, he averaged just shy of 100, at 98.70.

Peter Wright dropped to eleventh in the world rankings after Ross Smith secured his spot in the Betfred World Matchplay quarterfinals and moved himself up into the top ten of the Order of Merit. 2024 has undoubtedly been a successful year for many, but perhaps even more so for the most recent victor of the Players Championship.

The World Champion continues to prevail

As he continues to establish his darting dominance over the darting world, the World Number One has not indicated any signs of slowing down. For the first six legs, the two would trade legs, and as a result, the score would be tied at 3-3.

We didn’t witness a break in throw until leg seven, and that was for the Bullet, who took out a phenomenal 126.

Up until leg 15, when the current World Cup winner would step it up and go into second gear, it would be a close match between the two. Eventually Humphries would win all three of the remaining legs with relative ease.

Humphries would record a 100+ average once more, 102.64 to be exact, while Stephen Bunting would again find it difficult to take advantage of opportunities, missing 16 at a double.

Even though he would find more 180s than Cool Hand, the World Number One showed his experience and bottle as he crossed the finish line.

Dimi dances through

All eyes were on the Belgian to see if he could repeat the immaculate leg he had pinned his opening round of the World Matchplay. Van den Bergh gave a far more assured performance, despite the fact he was unsuccessful of pinning yet another perfect nine-darter.

Even though he prevailed in the tie, there were periods of inefficiency as van den Bergh only scored 39.29% on doubles while Clayton scored 41.67%.

It began like most of the games that night had, with the two separated by a little margin—at most two legs—until leg nine, when the UK Open Champion took a three-leg lead (3-6).

Following up his outstanding 141 in the previous round, Dimitri checked out a 112 in leg 13 to record another 100+ checkout.

Jonny Clayton would register his final leg in the 2024 World Matchplay in leg 12.

After leg 12, we would see one-way traffic as Dimitri van den Bergh claimed the last six legs.

Across the contest he averaged 96.85 and pinned six 180s, barely beating the Welshman’s 96.72 average and five 180s.

It’s absurd to believe that this year’s competition has already seen both of last year’s finalists collapse.

Betfred World Matchplay Results – Day Four

Gerwyn Price 9-11 Ross Smith

Nathan Aspinall 8-11 James Wade

Luke Humphries 11-7 Stephen Bunting

Jonny Clayton 5-11 Dimitri van den Bergh