Danny Noppert anticipates 'brilliant' clash with Michael van Gerwen in Dutch Darts Masters opener
- Sean Fisher
- 24 June 2022
Darts fans are being treated to a blockbuster opener at the Dutch Darts Masters on Friday, as Danny Noppert and Michael van Gerwen clash in Amsterdam.
The Dutch Darts Masters kicks off in style on Friday, as UK Open champion Danny Noppert takes on Premier League champion Michael van Gerwen in an all-Dutch tie.
Van Gerwen, fresh from winning his sixth Premier League title, underwent surgery less than two weeks ago to fix Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in his throwing arm.
But after being given the green light by his doctor, the 33-year-old is ready to return to the oche in pursuit of a sixth Dutch Darts Masters title.
Noppert on the other hand, is on the brink of entering the world's top 10 rankings, and this weekend's £20,000 prize fund would go a long way in helping him climb the ladder.
The 31-year-old will also be bolstered by his recent World Cup performance, after helping the Netherlands to their first semi-final since 2019.
ADVANTAGE NETHERLANDS! 🇳🇱
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) June 19, 2022
Danny Noppert gets the Dutch duo off to the perfect start, seeing off Daryl Gurney with a 4-2 success to get a point on the board in our opening quarter-final!
Up next 👉 Dirk van Duijvenbode v Brendan Dolan pic.twitter.com/6WMexa3kVY
Noppert seemed confident ahead of Friday's opener, and is hoping his UK Open win this year will spur him on to win further silverware.
"Playing Michael is going to be a really tough challenge, but I'm playing well and I believe in my own ability," said Noppert, who defeated Van Gerwen en route to reaching last year's World Grand Prix semi-finals.
"I know what Michael can do, but he knows what I am capable of, so it should be a brilliant game.
"Winning the UK Open has given me so much belief, and I am hungry for more titles now.
Into the final day here at the World Cup of Darts here in Frankfurt with @Duivee💪🇳🇱 we are first game on v Northern Ireland. Looking forward to it!@CazooUK @zwasports @ModusDarts180@a6_nl @JumboJoure @TOTODartKings @Winmau pic.twitter.com/2Wm2VDGbAg
— Dannynoppert (@Dannynoppert) June 19, 2022
"I made the final in Zwolle a few weeks ago, so hopefully I can go one step further this weekend."
Friday's opening round in the Amsterdam pits eight PDC superstars against eight Dutch representatives, before the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final take place across a blockbuster evening session on Saturday.
