James Wade Shockingly Exits World Darts Championship in Second Round
In a stunning turn of events at the World Darts Championship, James Wade, a seasoned competitor and four-time World Championship semi-finalist, became the first seeded player to fall in the tournament. Wade faced off against Jermaine Wattimena at Alexandra Palace and was decisively defeated, marking his exit from the tournament for the third consecutive year.
Wade started strong with a quick 13-darter win, but Wattimena quickly took charge, winning eight consecutive legs to lead two sets ahead and maintaining a break against the 16th seed. Despite a brief comeback when Wade secured a 15-darter, Wattimena capped his victory with an impressive 126 checkout that stunned the crowd.
Wade’s struggles were evident, particularly in missed opportunities at doubles that plagued his performance. As he failed to convert crucial shots, Wattimena capitalized and continued his momentum, progressing to the next round with a remarkable average of 99.17 and two maximums.
This early elimination means Wade has not won a match at Alexandra Palace since New Year’s Day 2022. Wattimena, on the other hand, celebrates his first advancement to the third round in four years.
Wattimena expressed his elation post-match, stating, “I’m over the moon. It was a good day for me. I played well, my finishing was good, and I’m more than happy.” He highlighted his confidence in beating top players and his hopes of creating history in the tournament.
In other matches, Wesley Plaisier fought hard to beat Ryusei Azemoto, coming back from a set down, while Luke Woodhouse showcased dominance with a straight-sets win over Laurence Ilagan, setting up a clash with World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker.
Kai Gotthardt made his mark by overcoming an equipment malfunction to secure a victory against Alan Soutar in his World Championship debut.
Looking ahead, the competition continues with an exciting lineup, including Gerwyn Price against Keane Barry, and a clash between Peter Wright and Wesley Plaisier.
Stay tuned as we bring you more updates from the Paddy Power World Darts Championship, running from December 15 to January 3.
