Martin Schindler was the second German to reach the third round of the Darts World Championship in London. Previously, Rob Cross won his opening match.
Schindler, nicknamed “The Wall”, defeated the Englishman Martin Lukeman 3-1 in Alexandra Palace on Friday evening (23.12.2022=) and now meets last year’s finalist Michael Smith (England) on December 28th.
Schindler was the first player at this year’s World Cup to check out a 170 when he won. The so-called “Big Fish” is the highest finish in darts, consisting of triple-20, triple-20, bullseye.
Schindler won his fourth World Cup participation for the first time, as 29th in the world rankings he had a bye in the first round.
“Big Fish” to the 170 – Schindler shows his skills
Schindler had the crowd against him from the start, but turned a 1:2 deficit in the first set. In the second round, the Vice Junior World Champion from 2018 missed two set darts, but came back strong.
With a “Big Fish” to 170 (triple-20, triple-20, bullseye) he got the third round and didn’t let the victory take him away.
Former world champion Cross masters the opening hurdle
Rob Cross is also one lap further. “Voltage”, as Cross is called, defeated compatriot Scott Williams 3-1 on Friday (December 23, 2022) after initial difficulties and is thus in the third round after a bye at the start.
The 32-year-old Cross lost the first set 2-3 despite a 2-0 lead, but then turned it up. The number six in the world rankings now meets the Englishman Mervyn King on Thursday.
In the round of 16, a duel with former Scottish world champion Gary Anderson would be possible.