Scots Peter Wright played a shaky start against Dutch Wesley Plaisier almost losing the lead in the third set but he showed why he’s a two-time world champ as he took it back with barely a sweat
Darts legend Peter Wright has smashed his way into the third round of the Darts World Championships as he knocked his second round with Wesley Plaisier of the Netherlands after taking out a 127 on the bullseye.
Wright was just a few months from his 50th birthday when he won his first world title in January 2020, beating Michael van Gerwan to the trophy in the final. Two years later he took home the Sid Waddell Trophy for the second time by defeating Michael Smith.
However it wasn’t a clear route to the finish for him tonight as his form has tailed off over the past few years – only entering this year’s tournament 17th in the PDC’s Order of Merit ranking system.
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In comparison, his giant of a competitor, Plasier has been a star of the of the PDC’s second-tier Challenge Tour in 2024 and came through to win his first round match against Ryusei Azemoto of Japan in a deciding set on Monday. Plasier’s performances have even earned him a two-year card for the main tour once the World Champsionship is complete, reports the BBC.
Laura Turner, ex-womens’ World Championship quarter-finalist on Sky Sports said of the match: “Peter Wright might be able to take some heart from the fact that Wesley Plaisier, when he came out the other day, we were expecting big things from him and he really took a long time in that match to get going.
“If the same thing happens again, Peter could quite easily see him off. I’m hoping that now Wesley has played on that big stage, he’ll be a bit more settled because he was very nervous.”
However it was not to be for Wesley and two-time world champion Peter did in fact, see him off.
Taking to the stage Peter wore a fantastic almost entirely purple outfit with his trademark mullet dyed in the same theme. All with an element of Christmas as also detailed in his previous showings.
His second-round shirt has a large Father Christmas style belt printed on it, with a snake in a Santa hat on his back.
Peter’s aim was a little off starting the match, before gaining a 180 early in the leg setting up a hold of throw. However his lead was not to last after his 124 checkout ended quickly.
Wesley stepped up to find double top to retake the lead in the first set. But a second 180 of the match for Peter Wright puts him control of another leg on his own throw.
His shot at a double four found the mark and took us through in the opener.
At 10.40pm on Tuesday, December 17, Peter Wright hit 125 to leave double top and pressure Wesley Plaisier’s 104. Leaving Peter to find the winning double.
Shortly after Wesley just missed another ton-plus finish and Peter took out 100 in two darts. Missing doubles in this round have proved to be somewhat of Plaisier’s undoing in this match.
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing for Peter as Peter made a mess of 56 in the third set, giving Wesley a break of throw in the third set.
A 136 finish then saw Wesley wrap up the third set in a speedy time. Less than 15 minutes before, Wesley was two sets down – but he came close to levelling the match.
However Peter was having none of it and took out 127 on the bullseye. A clutch dart at double six saw him take the game.
He let out a huge roar, a reaction he justly deserved. It’s fair to say though that the remarkable Wesley Plaisier showed why he is a player to watch in the future.
Speaking to Sky Sports after his win said: “It was this crowd that got me through, they wanted me to win. I thank you all. They got me through.
“Wesley had his chances but he missed them and I took them. He’s got his tour card and he’s going to be a dangerous player next year for all the players playing against him.”
Wright will play Jermaine Wattimena – victor of James Wade – after Christmas.