Darts results: Boris Krcmar beats Nathan Aspinall to earn crack at MVG

By Sporting Life

Darts

Sat June 15, 2024 · 10M ago

Boris Krcmar delivered a superb display to dump out Nathan Aspinall and set up a showdown against reigning champion Michael van Gerwen at the Superbet Poland Darts Masters in Gliwice.

Croatian number one Krcmar defied five 180s from Aspinall to win through a high-quality encounter at the PreZero Arena, averaging 97.79 to set up a clash against world number two Van Gerwen in Saturday's final stages.

“I feel great,” admitted Krcmar, who landed a stunning 127 finish on the bull on his way to a landmark victory.

“Nathan is one of the best players in the world. I played well tonight; I was a little bit nervous but I managed to win, so I’m very happy.

“I hope I can keep this form going, and I will give it my best tomorrow.”

BIG WIN FOR BORIS! 🇭🇷

Huge moment for Boris Krcmar, who defies five 180s from Nathan Aspinall to progress to the quarter-finals with an average of almost 98!

📺 https://t.co/YyBPPwoMK8 | R1 pic.twitter.com/407INfoAa0
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) June 14, 2024

Friday’s first round saw eight PDC superstars take on their East Europe rivals, with Krcmar the solitary regional qualifier to progress to the quarter-finals.

Van Gerwen began his defence of the title with an emphatic 6-1 win over a below-par Karel Sedlacek, pinning six of his 12 attempts at double to sweep aside the Czech star.

“It was a steady performance, but the most important thing is to win,” insisted the Dutchman, who is chasing a second World Series title of 2024.

“I think Karel is a really good player, but I think he’s better on the floor than on the stage, and I took advantage of that.

“This is going to be a huge weekend for darts in Poland and Eastern Europe, and there’s still a lot more to come from me tomorrow.”

Top seed Luke Littler survived a late scare to see off Adam Gawlas on his Poland Darts Masters debut, after the Czech star produced three consecutive 13-darters from 5-1 down to threaten an unlikely fightback.

“I started off well, but I struggled with the pace of the game,” conceded Littler, who averaged 96.97 and crashed in four maximums.

“There was always going to be a little bit of rust after my week away, but it was good to be back on stage in front of a great audience. It was like a Premier League night!”

World champion Luke Humphries began his bid for a maiden World Series crown with a routine 6-1 success against Hungarian debutant György Jehirszki, who won his solitary leg with an 11-darter.

“When György started coming back at me at the end, I got a bit more drive,” reflected the world number one.

“It wasn’t my best performance, but I know when I come back tomorrow I will be a stronger and better player.

“I would love to win a World Series title. It’s something that is not on my CV yet, but I’m sure it will happen one day!”