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- History of the World Matchplay
It has a rich history that dates back to the early 1970s, and it has evolved over the years to become the thrilling spectacle that it is today.Origins of the World Matchplay
The World Matchplay was first held in 1974 at the Empire Pool in Wembley, London. The tournament was the brainchild of the late promoter Barry Hearn, who wanted to create a new type of darts tournament that would be different from traditional events. The World Matchplay was unique in that it featured a double-start format, which required players to hit a double before they could score points. This made the matches more challenging and exciting, and the format quickly caught on with fans.
Evolution of the World Matchplay
Over the years, the World Matchplay has undergone several changes and improvements. In 1994, the tournament moved to the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, where it has been held ever since. The venue has become synonymous with the tournament and is considered one of the best places to watch darts in the world.
In 2000, the tournament introduced a new format that saw the number of players increase from 16 to 32. This allowed more players from around the world to participate and made the tournament even more competitive. The World Matchplay also became part of the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) tour in 1994, which increased its profile and attracted more top players.
Memorable Moments and Players
The World Matchplay has seen many memorable moments and players over the years. One of the most iconic moments in the tournament's history came in 1984 when Jocky Wilson defeated John Lowe 16-15 in a thrilling final. The match went down to the wire, with Wilson hitting a 121 checkout in the final leg to secure victory.
Other notable players who have left their mark on the tournament include Phil Taylor, who won the tournament a record 16 times between 1995 and 2017. Other multiple winners include Rod Harrington, Michael van Gerwen, and Gary Anderson. The tournament has also seen several surprise winners, including Larry Butler in 1994 and James Wade in 2007.
Format of the World Matchplay
The World Matchplay is one of the most prestigious events in professional darts, featuring the world's top players competing for a substantial prize pool. This tournament is organized by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) and has been held annually since 1994. In this blog post, we will dive into the format of the World Matchplay, including the number of players, rounds, and format of play, as well as any unique features or special rules of the tournament.The World Matchplay features a field of 32 players, comprising the top 16 players in the PDC Order of Merit and the 16 highest-ranked players from the PDC ProTour Order of Merit who have not already qualified through the PDC Order of Merit. The tournament is played in a knockout format, meaning that players are eliminated from the competition as they lose their matches.
The World Matchplay consists of 7 rounds, with each round being played over a different number of legs. The first round is a best-of-19 leg match, while the second round is a best-of-21 leg match. The quarter-finals are best-of-31 leg matches, the semi-finals are best-of-33 leg matches, and the final is a best-of-35 leg match.
One unique feature of the World Matchplay is the double-start format. In this format, each player must start each leg by hitting a double. If a player fails to hit a double with their first three darts, their score for that turn is zero. This adds a level of difficulty and strategy to the game, requiring players to be accurate right from the start of each leg.
Another special rule of the World Matchplay is the absence of tie-breaks. If a match is tied at the end of the final leg, the players will continue to play additional legs until one player wins by two clear legs. This can make for some thrilling and tense moments as players battle it out to secure their place in the next round.
Players to Watch
The World Matchplay is one of the most prestigious events in the world of professional darts. This year's tournament promises to be more exciting than ever with some of the biggest names in the sport set to compete. In this article, we'll take a closer look at some of the players to watch out for in the World Matchplay.
- Michael van Gerwen
No list of top players in the World Matchplay would be complete without mentioning the current World Number One, Michael van Gerwen. The Dutch superstar is a two-time World Matchplay champion and will be looking to add a third title to his impressive resume. Van Gerwen has been in good form lately, winning the World Cup of Darts with his partner Jermaine Wattimena. He's also a consistent performer on the Pro Tour and recently won the Players Championship 18. With his impressive scoring power and clinical finishing, van Gerwen is the clear favorite to win this year's World Matchplay.
- Peter Wright
Peter Wright is another player who can never be counted out of any tournament he competes in. The Scotsman is the current World Champion and has been in fine form over the past year. Wright won the Masters earlier this year and has also reached the final of the UK Open and the Players Championship Finals. He's a player who always brings his A-game to the big stage and will be looking to add another major title to his collection.
- Gerwyn Price
Gerwyn Price has had an incredible rise up the rankings in recent years and is now the World Number Three. The Welshman is a former rugby player and his physicality on the oche is one of his biggest strengths. Price is a former Grand Slam of Darts champion and has also won the World Cup of Darts with his partner Jonny Clayton. He's been in sensational form this year, winning the World Series of Darts Finals and reaching the final of the Premier League. Price is a player who always plays with passion and determination and is sure to be a big threat in the World Matchplay.
- Gary Anderson
Gary Anderson is a two-time World Matchplay champion and is always a player to watch out for in any tournament he competes in. The Scot has struggled with injury over the past year but has shown signs of returning to his best form. Anderson reached the final of the World Cup of Darts with his partner Peter Wright and also reached the semi-finals of the UK Open. He's known for his smooth throwing action and his ability to hit big scores under pressure. If he can stay injury-free, Anderson will be a real contender for the World Matchplay title.
- Dimitri Van den Bergh
Dimitri Van den Bergh burst onto the scene in 2018 when he won the World Youth Championship. The Belgian has since shown that he's more than just a one-hit wonder and has become one of the top players on the circuit. Van den Bergh won the World Matchplay last year, beating Gary Anderson in the final, and will be looking to defend his title this year. He's a player who always seems to play his best darts on the big stage and could cause some upsets in this year's tournament.
Previous Winners
The World Matchplay is one of the most prestigious and anticipated events in the world of darts. Over the years, we have seen some incredible performances and witnessed some of the best players in the game battle it out for the title. In this blog, we will take a trip down memory lane and look at the previous winners of the World Matchplay, highlighting their performances and achievements.
- Phil Taylor (1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)
Phil Taylor, also known as "The Power," is undoubtedly the most successful player in the tournament's history. He won the World Matchplay a staggering 16 times, which is an incredible achievement. Taylor's dominance in the tournament is evident from the fact that he reached the final on 18 occasions. His last win in the tournament came in 2011, where he defeated James Wade in the final.
- Rod Harrington (1998)
Rod Harrington won the World Matchplay in 1998, defeating Ronnie Baxter in the final. Harrington's performance in the tournament was exceptional, and he thoroughly deserved the victory. Although he didn't win the tournament again, he reached the final in 1999, where he lost to Phil Taylor.
- Larry Butler (1999)
Larry Butler made history in 1999 when he became the first American to win the World Matchplay. He defeated Dennis Priestley in the final to secure the title. Butler's performances in the tournament were outstanding, and he played some of his best darts to win the championship.
- Colin Lloyd (2005)
Colin Lloyd won the World Matchplay in 2005, defeating John Part in the final. Lloyd's win was a significant achievement, and he became the first player to beat Phil Taylor in the tournament since 1998. Lloyd's performance in the tournament was exceptional, and he deservedly won the title.
- James Wade (2007, 2015)
James Wade has won the World Matchplay twice, in 2007 and 2015. Wade's performances in the tournament have been consistently impressive, and he has reached the final on six occasions. Wade's win in 2007 was particularly notable, as he defeated Phil Taylor in the final.
- Gary Anderson (2018)
Gary Anderson won the World Matchplay in 2018, defeating Mensur Suljovic in the final. Anderson's performance in the tournament was outstanding, and he thoroughly deserved the victory. Anderson is one of the best players in the game and has won numerous titles throughout his career.
Predictions and Expectations
The World Matchplay is one of the most eagerly anticipated events in the world of darts. As the top players from around the globe prepare to descend on Blackpool's Winter Gardens, fans are eagerly anticipating what promises to be another thrilling tournament.So, what can we expect from this year's World Matchplay? Here are a few predictions and expectations to look out for:
- Michael van Gerwen to continue his dominance
It's hard to go against the world number one, especially when he's won this tournament three times in the last six years. Michael van Gerwen is the man to beat, and he'll be looking to add another trophy to his already impressive collection.
- Gary Anderson to bounce back
Gary Anderson has had a bit of a rough patch recently, but he's still one of the best players in the world. He's won this tournament twice before, and he'll be looking to make it a hat-trick this year. If he's on form, he could be a real threat.
- Potential upsets
The World Matchplay is always full of surprises, and this year is unlikely to be any different. Players like Nathan Aspinall and Rob Cross will be looking to cause upsets and make a name for themselves. Keep an eye on the early rounds to see if any unexpected results crop up.
- Dark horses
There are always a few players who fly under the radar but end up causing a stir. This year, it could be the likes of Daryl Gurney or Mensur Suljovic who make a deep run in the tournament. Both players have the ability to beat anyone on their day, so don't be surprised if they make a splash.
Overall, this year's World Matchplay promises to be another exciting tournament. With so many top players in action, there's sure to be plenty of drama and excitement. Whether you're a die-hard darts fan or just tuning in for the first time, this is one tournament you won't want to miss.
Tournament Format
As the World Matchplay approaches, it's important to understand the tournament format and rules to fully appreciate the competition. The World Matchplay is a prestigious darts tournament that has been held annually since 1994 in Blackpool, England. It's considered one of the most important events in the darts calendar, with a prize pool of £700,000 (approximately $920,000 USD) and the top 16 players in the world competing for the title.
The World Matchplay follows a knockout format, with 32 players initially competing in a first-round match. The 16 winners of the first round then progress to the second round, where they face off against the top 16 seeded players. From there, the tournament continues with quarter-finals, semi-finals, and ultimately, the final.
One unique feature of the World Matchplay is the absence of deciding legs. In most other professional darts tournaments, the final set must be won by two clear legs, causing matches to potentially go on for several extra legs. However, in the World Matchplay, if a game goes to a deciding leg, the players will have a sudden-death leg, where the first player to hit a double wins the game.
Rules and Regulations
The World Matchplay follows the same general rules as other professional darts tournaments. Each match is played as a best-of-19 legs, meaning that the player who wins 10 legs first wins the match. In the event of a tie at 9-9, a tie-breaker leg is played to determine the winner.
Players must score points by hitting the board with their darts and the points are subtracted from the starting score of 501. To win a leg, a player must hit a double, which means landing their dart in one of the narrow outer rings of the board. Players must also finish on a double, meaning that they must hit a double to get their score down to zero.
In addition to the standard rules, the World Matchplay has a few unique regulations. Players are allowed a single 60-second time-out per match, during which they can consult with their coach or take a break to compose themselves. The tournament also features a walk-on music rule, where each player gets to choose a song to play as they walk onto the stage.
Conclusion
The World Matchplay is a highly competitive and exciting tournament that showcases the best darts players in the world. The knockout format and unique sudden-death leg rule add to the drama and intensity of the competition. Understanding the tournament format and rules is essential for fully enjoying the World Matchplay experience.
