In an otherwise quiet week, The Gentle Mensur Suljovic saw off Ian ‘Diamond’ White in the final of the latest Players Championship event, which took place in Barnsley at the weekend. He did so in spite of White checking out for a nine darter to take the match to 5-5.
Suljovic averaged 97 in the final and gradually took control of the match before sealing the event with a 109 checkout in the deciding leg, giving the Austrian Darts Championship winner his second tournament of the season.
Earlier on in the afternoon, Rob Cross also scored a nine darter, but the day’s standout performance came when Suljovic took on Glen Durrant in the fourth round. Winning 6-2 while averaging a stunning 112.6, The Gentle moved on to Cristo Reyes in the quarter-finals and Jonny Clayton, where he completed a 102.3 average during his 7-5 semi-final triumph.
Saturday’s Players Championship went the way of Daryl Gurney, who finally nailed his first title of the year. He defeated Nathan Aspinall 8-5 in the final and had previously seen off the likes of Michael Smith and Peter ‘Snakebite’ Wright.
Up next for our heroes is the Gibraltar Darts Trophy, which is the 13th of 13 2019 European Tour events and runs from Friday September 27 through Sunday 29.
Friday’s first-round features the 32 qualifiers competing across two sessions at the Victoria Stadium, with a high-quality field including some former European Tour winners, while the big boys join in the action when we reach the last 32.
Michael van Gerwen returns to action having sat out the past fortnight to go on a family holiday, but he wasn’t about to miss his annual victorious trip to the rock. This, after all, is a competition Mighty Mike has won in 2015, 2016 and 2018. At the time of writing, Mighty Mike is available at a best price of 11/8 through Betway.
As ever, Rob Cross, 9/1, and Peter Wright, 10’s, are considered the next most likely victors, but neither win enough to really justify wasting your money on week in week out. Cue Cross win.
On that note, don’t rule out Ian White, who came runner up last week. Diamond has taken down two European Tour events so far already this season while making the final in another two. He has also been served the good fortune of avoiding van Gerwen’s side of the draw and so he cannot meet MVG until the final.
Michael ‘Bully Boy’ Smith, who shouldn’t be discounted himself, provides the main threat on that side of the draw and the pair could meet head-on in Sunday’s third round. Smith is in lousy form, though, and is priced at 16/1. White, on the other hand, looks like good value at the same price, especially with each-way terms being ½ of the odds. Last week’s champion, Mensur Suljovic can be picked up for 20’s. Others in the field are available.
Friday September 27
Second Round
Venue: Victoria Stadium
Dates: Thursday 27.09.2019 – 29.09.2019
Format: Best of 11, 13 and 15 legs
Current Champion: Michael van Gerwen
Where To Watch: PDC TV
When To Watch: 1200 BST, 1800 BST