De Decker had impressed on Tuesday against Damon Heta and won a match for the first time in his career at the World Grand Prix, the first ‘major’ of the autumn. Two days later, with Anderson, he looked a two-time world champion and a man in shape in the eye. A draw to die for…
But De Decker hardly had any nerves, again achieved an excellent percentage of his ‘double in’ with double 16 and scored even better than against Heta. He immediately broke through Anderson’s leg with a 180 followed by a 74 finish and easily took the first set 3-0. Set two was more exciting because the Scot started scoring better, but at 2-2 De Decker had the chance to make it 2-0 in sets. He remained icy calm and hit 120 off the board.
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Set three was also up and down. De Decker boosted his confidence even more with a great 94 finish and then blasted 160 off the board while Anderson was waiting to break at 81. It was again a decider, but The Real Deal was outstanding in that regard. He finished it off with a twelve-darter and a 74 finish: 3-0 with an average of 95.74.
In his first quarter-final at a major, a duel with James Wade awaits, who beat Gerwyn Price 3-0. Whatever that will be: De Decker is virtually in the top 32 of the Order of Merit for the first time, which would give him seed status at the World Cup.
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“I’ve always had a problem with playing on stage, but this week it really seems to click,” De Decker laughs afterwards. “I did the right things at the right time. I’m just very happy. The quarterfinals? I’m glad there isn’t a day in between now. That was now and I was really bored yesterday. And I don’t want to look beyond that, just play well.”
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Van den Bergh also continues
Another Belgian success in the last match of the evening. Dimitri Van den Bergh qualified for the quarter-finals by beating Dave Chisnall 3-1.
Chisnall has been top on the floor tournaments and European Tour all season, but the Englishman has not yet succeeded in the majors. But Chizzy had won the bull, was allowed to start the first set and won it convincingly 3-1. Van den Bergh had his chances, but with an average of 77.69, The DreamMaker remained below his level.
Set two was all for our compatriot. Van den Bergh blasted in his first 180, hitting three out of five doubles and leveling the score with a dry 3-0. The third set was particularly exciting. The averages rose and both men won their first two legs relatively easily. Then it was up to Van den Bergh to break. He hit two 180s in succession and finished 74 for a 2-1 in sets.
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The mission was clear: win their own set and reach the quarter-finals of the World Grand Prix again. Van den Bergh won the first leg, Chizzy the second. Then Chisnall went through our compatriot’s throw with a 144 finish. However, Van den Bergh broke back and finished it with his sixth match dart: 3-1. Two Belgians in the quarter-finals of the World Grand Prix, unseen.
Van den Bergh will compete against Joe Cullen, who beat Daryl Gurney.
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