In a sensational display of darting brilliance, England’s Callan Rydz stunned 11th seed Dimitri van den Bergh with a dominant 4-0 victory in the third round of the PDC World Championship. The match, which was expected to be a tightly contested battle, turned into a one-sided affair as Rydz delivered a near-perfect performance that left Van den Bergh bewildered and unable to cope with the pressure.
This victory marks a career milestone for Rydz, who reached the quarter-finals in 2022 and has now put himself in prime position to make a deeper run in the tournament. His performance against the former World Matchplay champion, Dimitri van den Bergh, was nothing short of spectacular. Rydz averaged an impressive 105.31, with his average soaring to 115.94 after the first two sets, where he hit an astonishing six 180s and made six of his nine doubles. Van den Bergh, who has proven himself as one of the most talented players in the PDC, simply had no answers for Rydz’s high-level play.
Callan Rydz: A Masterclass in Darting Precision
The match began with Rydz asserting his dominance immediately. He wasted no time in showcasing his incredible form, producing a blistering start to the contest. The early stages of the match saw him land a barrage of 180s, including two in a single leg, and his accuracy with doubles was clinical. Van den Bergh, who has always been known for his flair and consistency, struggled to match Rydz’s level, as the Englishman seemed to be in the zone from the first dart.
Rydz’s 105.31 average for the match was the result of his exceptional scoring and clinical finishing. His relentless pressure on Van den Bergh was evident throughout, and it was clear that the Belgian was unable to cope with the intensity of Rydz’s play. Van den Bergh tried to force his way back into the match, but Rydz’s performance was so clinical that he never gave his opponent a sniff of an opportunity. Every time Van den Bergh appeared to have a chance to build some momentum, Rydz swiftly extinguished any hopes with precise and unrelenting darts.
The highlight of Rydz’s performance was his early dominance in the first two sets, where he hit six 180s, and his accuracy on doubles was impeccable. His play was a true masterclass in darting precision and skill, and it was no surprise when he secured the first set without dropping a leg. As the match progressed, Rydz continued to maintain his composure, never allowing Van den Bergh to find a way into the contest.
Dimitri van den Bergh Struggles to Find His Rhythm
On the other side of the oche, Dimitri van den Bergh, the 2020 World Matchplay champion, found himself unable to find his usual rhythm. Known for his ability to hit big scores and take out checkouts under pressure, Van den Bergh simply couldn’t replicate his best form against Rydz. The Belgian is no stranger to the big stage, having competed in some of the most high-profile darts tournaments in recent years, but against Rydz, he looked a shadow of the player that has consistently been one of the top seeds in the PDC.
Van den Bergh’s frustration was evident throughout the match as Rydz continued to dominate. He had several opportunities to break Rydz’s throw and get back into the match, but each time he failed to capitalize. Whether it was a missed double or an inaccurate throw, Van den Bergh just couldn’t seem to find his flow. This struggle was compounded by Rydz’s relentless pressure, which left little room for the Belgian to recover.
In the third set, Van den Bergh attempted to make a push, but again Rydz was too strong. Despite his best efforts, the Belgian could not find a way to mount any real challenge, and Rydz closed out the match with ease. The final scoreline of 4-0 reflected just how thoroughly Rydz outplayed Van den Bergh, leaving the former World Matchplay champion with little to show for his efforts.
Rydz’s Confidence Soars After Shock Win
After the match, Callan Rydz was understandably elated with his performance. Speaking to Sky Sports, Rydz expressed his excitement, saying, “I’m over the moon. I didn’t give Dimi a sniff and I’ve got to do the same in the last 16. Buzzing with the result and can’t wait to be back here.” It was clear that the win meant a lot to Rydz, who has been steadily building his career over the last few years. Having reached the quarter-finals in 2022, Rydz is now firmly on the radar as one of the most dangerous players in the tournament.
Rydz’s victory over Van den Bergh sends a clear message to the rest of the field that he is a player to watch in this year’s World Championship. With a solid average, incredible scoring power, and clinical finishing, Rydz demonstrated that he has all the tools to make a deep run in the tournament. His performance against Van den Bergh was a statement of intent, and it will be interesting to see how he progresses through the tournament.
Rydz will now face the winner of the match between Ricky Evans and Robert Owen, who are set to conclude the third round on Sunday evening. Given his current form, Rydz will be confident of progressing further and could well be one of the standout performers of this year’s World Championship.
Kevin Doets Survives Four Match Darts to Beat Krzysztof Ratajski
In another exciting third-round match, Dutchman Kevin Doets produced a remarkable comeback to defeat 31st seed Krzysztof Ratajski. Doets, who had knocked out second seed Michael Smith in the previous round, found himself in a precarious position when he trailed 2-0 without winning a single set. Ratajski looked set to close out the match when he had four match darts in the sixth set, but Doets showed incredible resilience and composure to save the match and level at 2-2 with a stunning 106 checkout.
The momentum then swung in Doets’ favor, and he took the next five legs to seal a dramatic 4-3 victory. It was a thrilling match that demonstrated Doets’ fighting spirit and ability to perform under pressure, and he will now move on to the next round, where he will face another tough challenge.
Jeffrey de Graaf’s Convincing Win Over Paolo Nebrida
Sweden’s Jeffrey de Graaf also made a statement with a convincing 4-1 win over Paolo Nebrida. The Filipino player took the first set, but De Graaf quickly recovered, winning the next four sets in dominant fashion. De Graaf ended the match with a 10-darter, showcasing his ability to finish strong and continue his march through the competition. The win sets up a tantalizing last-16 clash with three-time World Champion Michael van Gerwen, and De Graaf will be hoping to cause an upset in what promises to be an exciting encounter.
Sunday’s Schedule and Results
The action continues on Sunday evening, with Ricky Evans taking on Robert Owen in the final third-round match of the day. Following that, the fourth-round action will begin, with Jonny Clayton facing Gerwyn Price and Luke Humphries taking on Peter Wright. Both matches promise to be exciting as the tournament reaches its next stage, with plenty of drama and high-level darts expected.
Afternoon Session Results:
- Jeffrey de Graaf 4-1 Paolo Nebrida
- Kevin Doets 4-3 Krzysztof Ratajski
- Dimitri van den Bergh 0-4 Callan Rydz
Evening Session (19:00 GMT):
- Ricky Evans v Robert Owen
- Jonny Clayton v Gerwyn Price
- Luke Humphries v Peter Wright
With the likes of Callan Rydz continuing to perform at such a high level, the PDC World Championship promises to provide plenty of exciting action in the coming days.
