Max Hopp triumphs over world champion Peter Wright
Bang: Max Hopp survived match darts against Peter Wright and checked to win
Quelle: picture alliance/dpa/PA Wire/Kieran Cleeves
Max Hopp put a big exclamation mark. The 25-year-old darts pro surprisingly won the Players Championship 3 against world champion Peter Wright. After his crisis last year, he could become the German number two again on Sunday.
Max Hopp has had difficult times. After his weakest year on the tour of darts professionals, the German World Cup record participant even had to tremble about getting his tour card.
At the World Cup last December, for which he had not been able to qualify, he commented on the round of 16, which was also decisive for him, live on television. Only thanks to a 4-3 win by Mervyn King over Australian Raymond Smith did Hopp retain his right to play on the professional tour. When the fiasco had just been averted, he announced a change of strategy as a consequence. Above all, he wants to train more again.
A resolution that he apparently takes to heart in the new year. After a defeat at the start of the Pro Tour, the Hessian had already advanced to the third round of the second tournament.
Matt Campbell loses despite nine-darters
On Friday he prevailed in the qualification for the German Darts Grand Prix on April 16 in Munich and confirmed his improving form on Saturday at the Players Championship 3.
Hopp first defeated the young Englishman Bradley Brooks. An average of 83.9 was enough for a 6:4. Then Hopp caused the biggest surprise of the tournament and defeated world champion Peter Wright in the decider. Hopp increased his point average to 94.22 per shot, survived two match darts and checked in 13 darts to win.
Peter Wright is crowned world champion
Peter Wright has been crowned darts world champion for the second time. In the London “Ally Pally” the Scot prevailed against Michael Smith in a high-class final. For the “Bully Boy” it was his second World Cup final defeat after 2019.
Strong nerves, which he would also have needed in the following duel. In the round of the top 32, Hopp had two more chances to make it 5:5 against Belgian Kim Huybrechts. But this time the German missed, so that Huybrechts finally won 6:4.
With the prize money of 1250 pounds, Hopp also prevented Martin Schindler from passing in the Order of Merit. “The Wall” reached the second round thanks to an outstanding performance (average: 101.97) against tour newcomer Jimmy Hendriks from the Netherlands, but lost there unnecessarily 5:6 against the Scot Connor despite several match darts and an average of 93.8 Scott.
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However, with his 750 pounds in prize money, Schindler made up ground in the race for the German number two. The 64th-ranked Brandenburger is only 750 pounds behind Florian Hempel (62nd) with his 49,000 pounds, Hopp lies between the two with 49,500 pounds.
Not again: After Gerwyn Price in the second tournament, Florian Hempel had to play against Joe Cullen this time
Quelle: Getty Images/Luke Walker
Hempel was once again unlucky and faced Joe Cullen on the first lap. He was defeated by the newly crowned Masters winner 2:6. And the German number one got it right at the start. Gabriel Clemens lost 4:6 against Jose Justicia. In lap two, the Spaniard also meant Ricardo Pietreczko’s last stop. After a 6:3 against Nick Fulwell, the tour newcomer narrowly lost 5:6.
The man of the hour won the tournament. Cullen decided the final against the Australian Damon Heta 8:4 and secured the prize money of 12,000 pounds. However, the highlight of the day was provided by Canadian Matt Campbell. The “Ginger Ninja” threw a 9-darter in his second-round loss to Heta.
