Peter Wright claims Viaplay Nordic Darts Masters

Wright won his first televised title in over a year on Saturday night, defeating Gerwyn Price 11-5 in the Copenhagen final of the Viaplay Nordic Darts Masters.

Wright had a difficult 2022 after winning his second World Championship, but he returned to form in an encouraging manner to win his fourth World Series of Darts title.

He went all the way to a deciding leg in his quarter-final tie with Michael van Gerwen after a narrow first-round win over Dennis Nilsson on Friday at Forum Copenhagen.

After edging out a 10-9 victory in that match, he went on to defeat World Champion Michael Smith 11-8 in the semi-finals.

Wright raced to a 4-0 lead before Smith showed his class to tie the game after ten legs, but the Scot pulled away in the second half to advance to the final.

He also had a strong start against Price, finishing 104, 149, and 140 to take a five-leg lead.

Price hit back to 6-2 with legs of 13 and 14 darts, and after Wright took the next three, he fired in checkouts of 140 and 156 to close the gap to 9-5.

A missed bullseye for a 121 finish allowed Wright to land tops for a 13-darter, moving him a leg away from the title, and another miss from Price, this time at tops, allowed him to post double eight and seal the title.

“It’s lovely when darts go like that – I just felt unbeatable,” admitted Wright. “It doesn’t matter who was in front of me.

“I feel really good. The way I felt, no-one was going to touch me in the final – the darts were flowing.

“Gezzy’s a fantastic player, he was in the final in Bahrain last week and he’s beaten me the last four times I played him so I’ve got one back!

“To beat the best players in the world is brilliant. To be invited to play on the World Series, I’m grateful, and the amazing crowds make the difference.

“Last year was a bit tough so let’s get on it and start winning! This will give me confidence for the Masters next week.”

Price Reaction 

Price’s run brought him to his second World Series final in a row, after losing to Smith in the final in Bahrain last weekend.

The Welshman ended Dimitri Van den Bergh’s title defence with a clinical 10-7 quarter-final win before rallying from 2-0, 6-3, and 9-7 deficits in the semis to defeat Jonny Clayton 11-10.

“I wasn’t in the final,” said Price. “I won five legs but probably should have won one, but Peter was playing fantastic and all credit to him. He was great in the final.

“I was burned out in this one – I just had no fight in me, I sort-of rolled over and had my belly ticked, and Peter won so fair play to him.

“I’ll come good, I’m playing well and doing alright. The fans are fantastic – it’s been great here and in Bahrain.”

2023 Viaplay Nordic Darts Masters

Saturday January 21

Afternoon Session

Quarter-Finals

Gerwyn Price 10-7 Dimitri Van den Bergh

Jonny Clayton 10-4 Rob Cross

Michael Smith 10-7 Luke Humphries

Peter Wright 10-9 Michael van Gerwen

 

Evening Session

Semi-Finals

Gerwyn Price 11-10 Jonny Clayton

Peter Wright 11-8 Michael Smith

 

Final

Peter Wright 11-5 Gerwyn Price