Dhe favorite roles at the Darts World Championship (live until January 3rd on Sport1 and DAZN *) are clearly distributed: Bookmakers and many experts consider Gerwyn Price, Peter Wright, Michael van Gerwen and Jonny Clayton to be the quartet that won the title will matter.
If you ask the players, however, a fifth name usually comes up: Ryan Searle. The 34-year-old Englishman with long hair and heavy arrows has steadily improved in recent years, has now reached the top 20 in the world rankings and has been on the radar since his first major final at the Players Championship Finals at the end of November. Searle lost to Peter Wright very closely with 10:11.
Not only “Snakebite” recognizes more than just an insider tip in “Heavy Metal”. Many believe that Gary Anderson’s training partner will do a great job. Nobody wants to meet him early in the tournament. “He’s a phenomenal player. I don’t see any reason why he couldn’t win the tournament, ”said Wright.
“Since I’ve had contact lenses …”
But there is one. “My biggest weakness is my eyes,” says Searle, who has to ask for the hit picture every now and then during his matches. His pupils are shaped like a rugby egg. “I went to an optician, but there’s not much you can do about it. The eyes are weak, it’s in the genes. My grandma and my father have the same problem, “he says.” For ten years I had to ask every double or triple whether the arrow hit, but since I’ve had contact lenses, the board isn’t quite as blurry as it was before . “
His start went well as expected. Searle had only a few problems identifying his hits in the 3-0 win against William Borland, but the performance was right with an average of 92.45 and 42.9 percent hits on the doubles: “A solid start. I’m satisfied, ”he said, noting that his performance is also reflected in increased popularity. “People cheer me more than before, they are louder. And I am approached more often in public. “
Clear thing: Ryan Searle gave William Borland (right) no chance
Quelle: dpa/Zac Goodwin
In addition to his eyes, his hair, a relic from his youth as a skateboarder, is also an issue. “If I’m a well-known player, I will use my situation to cut my hair for a charitable cause,” he said in an interview with WELT two years ago.
A quote with which he has now been confronted again. “You caught me, I remember the sentence,” he said and laughed: “It’s getting a little thinner up there. And I promise: If I win this tournament, I’ll let them cut me off. “
Here darts professional Martin Schindler imitates his colleagues
Martin Schindler is not only one of the best German darts professionals. He is also an excellent impersonator. Here he recreates six world-class players. Do you recognize these players?
To do this, he would have to win five more games. The next task is waiting on December 28th, when it comes to Dutchman Danny Noppert or compatriot Jason Heaver.
“I really want to beat Danny Noppert,” says Searle: “He’s the only one in the top 32 that I haven’t won against yet. At the Players Championship Finals I once led 5: 2, then didn’t hit anything and lost 5: 6. That hurt for a long time. “
Darts World Cup, 2nd round, results
Ryan Searle (ENG/15) – William Borland (SCO) 3:0
Glen Durrant (ENG/24) – William O‘Connor (IRL) 0:3
Luke Humphries (ENG/19) – Rowby-John Rodriguez (AUT) 3:0
Joe Cullen (ENG/13) – Jim Williams (WAL) 3:2
Nathan Aspinall (ENG / 10) – Joe Murnan (ENG)
Dirk van Duijvenbode (NED/17) – Boris Koltsov (RUS)
Kim Huybrechts (BEL/32) – Steve Beaton (ENG)
Simon Whitlock (20/AUS) – Martijn Kleermaker (NED)
Darts World Cup, 2nd round, on December 23rd
13 o’clock:
Damon Heta (AUS/31) – Luke Woodhouse (ENG)
Brendan Dolan (NIL/23) – Callan Rydz (ENG)
Mensur Suljovic (AUT/26) – Alan Soutar (SCO)
Jose de Sousa (ENG/7) – Jason Lowe (ENG)
8 pm:
Danny Noppert (NED / 18) – Jason Heaver (ENG)
Gabriel Clemens (GER/25) – Lewis Williams (WAL)
Rob Cross (ENG / 11) – Raymond van Barneveld (NED)
Chris Dobey (ENG/30) – Rusty-Jake Rodriguez (AUT)
The complete schedule and the tournament tree can be found here.
*Display: Every viewer has the opportunity to follow the tournament live on the DAZN streaming service. If you don’t have a subscription, you can watch the games for free. DAZN offers all new customers the opportunity to test the offer for one month free of charge. You can cancel the subscription within the first month.
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