Noa-Lynn van Leuven has once again set her sights on the World Darts Championship after being beaten in her historic debut at Alexandra Palace.
Van Leuven – the first transgender player to play at the Worlds – shot an average of 87.06 and six top scores against Kevin Doets, with the Dutchman raising hopes of a landmark victory as she claimed the opening set.
Doets advanced the tournament by winning a 33-dart leg in the second set before closing out a 3-1 victory, setting up a second-round reunion with former world champion Michael Smith – the player who put it out at the same level last time. competition of the year.
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Doets and Van Leuven had a leg to forget in their first round match
Van Leuven was booed by spectators at last month's Grand Slam of Darts but received a warm welcome in London ahead of the Dutch clash, with the 28-year-old happy with her performance but admit that Doets deserved the win.
“I guess they just want to see good darts,” Van Leuven said of the crowd. “Kevin and I showed good darts. I was playing well the whole game.
Van Leuven was left to find the chances needed to break Doets in the second set
“I guess the difference is a bit of experience. He has a lot more experience than I have. That's what made the difference in this game. It was only one point difference in the averages.
“He was the best player today. I hope I get to the Pro Tour next year and play him again and he will be the best player. I want to be become a better player and the only way to do that is to go out on that stage, play the Challenge Tour, play the Pro Tour and just play the best players. there.”
How Doets held on to Van Leuven
Van Leuven responded to losing the opening leg by firing an 80 checkout in the next and finishing Shanghai to break the Doets throw, before taking out a top at the fourth attempt on the wrap a set with an 18-darter.
Doets claimed an early advantage in the second set but could only watch as Van Leuven produced another 120 finish in the next leg, while the turning point came in the third leg when both players lost multiple possibilities at double.
Van Leuven shot two 120 finishes during her debut at Alexandra Palace
Van Leuven hit twice and missed several darts to break Doets, who held a throw on one double – after several failed attempts – for a 33-darter and then produced a 74 finish in the next set to take the second set get
Doets claimed back legs and responded to a 14-dart hold from Van Leuven to take out the tops in the next to win the set, with the Dutchman producing a 76 finish in the fourth to go 2- 1 to move and within a leg of the victory.
Van Leuven fired six perfect darts en route to a 12-dart hold to take the set to a final-leg decider, where Doets held on to secure a hard-fought victory and the second round reached for the second year in a row. .
“It was difficult, very difficult – especially at the beginning,” Doets said Sky Sports. “She played better than I did in the beginning and it was very difficult.
On the chaotic leg in the second set, Doets said: “In every World Championship, there is a leg like that. Every leg I just fought, fought, fought.
“The crowd were amazing – they didn't hurt anyone. They didn't bother me, they were great.
“I knew I had to beat Noa first, but it feels like the Gods wanted to give me another chance (against Michael Smith). It's a great feeling and I hope I beat him on Thursday.
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