Sport
World Series of Darts Finals preview: Van Gerwen favourite for fifth title
After six Masters events held throughout the summer, the finalists of the World Series of Darts have been confirmed and the 24 contenders are set to battle it out for glory in Amsterdam.
All the likely contenders have made it to this stage, including four-time winner Michael van Gerwen, as well as former World Series champions Jonny Clayton, Gerwyn Price and James Wade.
We preview the pick of the opening round ties, look ahead to the potential second round clashes and offer our thoughts on the likely contenders for the title.
First round
Fallon Sherrock v Peter Wright
In what looks the clash of the round, world number two Peter Wright takes on the popular Fallon Sherrock. The pair have met twice in the past, with Wright taking the spoils on both occasions, however it was close in their last meeting with the Scotsman taking a 16-13 victory at the Grand Slam of Darts last November.
Wright comes into the tournament on a high after his win in the European Tour 11 last weekend, where he pulled off a fine win over Dimitri van den Bergh in the final, avenging his loss to the same opponent in this summer’s World Matchplay quarter finals.
Wright hasn’t always produced his best form this year, but he is the overwhelming 1/25 favourite to take the win here and set up a second-round clash with Michael Smith.
This will be Sherrock’s third appearance at the World Series Finals and she will be eager to get her first win on the board at the tournament. However, she couldn’t have received a tougher first round draw and her odds of 10/1 suggest pulling off a shock win might be a bridge too far.
Simon Whitlock v Danny Noppert
Another intriguing clash in the opening round pits 2012 European Championship winner Simon Whitlock against this year’s UK Open victor Danny Noppert.
Noppert, the current world number 10, comes into this as the 4/6 favourite after a good run to the semi finals of the World Matchplay this summer. However, the Dutchman will need to improve on his recent form that has seen him slump to two early last-16 exits on the European Tour.
Their head-to-head record stands at 2-1 in favour of Noppert, but Whitlock, nicknamed ‘The Wizard’, showed he has what it takes to defeat the world’s best when beating Michael van Gerwen at the European Tour 11 earlier this month. The Australian could be dangerous if in the same form and is 6/5 for victory here.
Dave Chisnall v Jamie Hughes
Dave Chisnall has appeared at all the World Series Finals since 2015, with his best finish being when he reached the semi finals in 2016 and 2019. In contrast, this will be Jamie Hughes’ first appearance at the finals.
Hughes actually holds the advantage in head-to-head meetings between the two, with two wins to Chisnall’s one. However, the world number 42 doesn’t come here in the best of form, after early exits in the European Tour 11 and Players Championship 24 most recently. He is 19/10 underdog to win this tie.
On his day Chizzy is quite capable of going deep in this tournament and the man from St Helens is the 2/5 favourite to make the second round here.
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Second Round
The eight seeded players – Michael van Gerwen, Jonny Clayton, Dimitri van den Bergh, Gerwyn Price, James Wade, Joe Cullen, Michael Smith and Gary Anderson – enter at the second-round stage and the competition is sure to heat up.
Potential big clashes look to be Michael Smith v Wright/Sherrock, Jonny Clayton v Noppert/Whitlock and Joe Cullen v Hughes/Chisnall.
Outright winner
Four-time winner Michael van Gerwen has looked back to his best in 2022, taking the Premier League and winning his third World Matchplay title in the summer. It’s no surprise then that MVG comes into this tournament as the 4/1 favourite for the title.
Alongside him in the betting, also at 4/1, is the player he edged out in the final of the World Matchplay, Gerwyn Price. The Iceman had a slow start to 2022 but looks to be gathering a head of steam now and is lethal when on top form.
World number two, Peter Wright isn’t one of the seeded players for this event, but he still comes into this tournament as the 13/2 third-favourite.
Belgian star, Dimitri van den Bergh, is next in the betting at 8/1, ahead of Michael Smith at 9/1.
Last season’s champion, Jonny Clayton is 9/1 to successfully defend his title. The Ferret won the New South Wales Masters last month and should be capable of a strong defence here.
Others at bigger prices include Joe Cullen (14/1), James Wade (16/1), Dave Chisnall (22/1), Danny Noppert (25/1) and Fallon Sherrock (250/1).
