WIZARD OF OZ FLIES TO THE FINAL!

By Leandra Graves

WIZARD OF OZ FLIES TO THE FINAL!

Australian star Simon Whitlock produced a masterful performance in the Ladbrokes Darts Championship by beating Raymond van Barnaveld 6-5 in the semi-final. Fans saw an enthralling battle at the glorious setting of London’s Alexandra Palace. After being 4-2 down to ‘Barney’ who was World Champion in 2007, Whitlock fought back superbly and seemingly cast a spell on Barney to take his place in the final against Phil Taylor.
Darts pundits declared this match “worthy of a final” and with the massive number of 180s scored in this semi-final, it certainly exceeded all expectations. With both players scoring averages into three figures, it showed the fierce level of competition. Whitlock had already knocked out world number three, James Wade, in the quarter final, proving that this was no fluke. Ally Pally was as usual packed out with noisy fans and banners, an electric atmosphere. Darts fans say it’s the “greatest show in sport” and after witnessing this epic display, I dare say many sports fans could disagree.
Whitlock was 3-2 up but the Dutchman showed resolve to pull it back and take the match to a nerve-biting decider. Barney failed to take advantage of two shots at double eight and Whitlock pounced on his mistake.
He maintained a steely nerve as he was left with a 60 checkout to take his place in his first ever Professional Darts Corporation (PDO) final, Whitlock said, “Going for that last double, that's the hardest one to hit - the one to win the match. I couldn't believe it went in. I was so nervous. I just flung it.
“I never gave up. I sensed Raymond was getting tired and I knew I had to try and hang in there and sneak a few legs. If I could hang in and keep pushing I thought I would get a chance and I got that chance.”
Barney finished with an average three points higher than his opponent and was bemused to see how he could have lost after playing the best darts so far that week.
He said, “I have played the best game so far of the tournament and yet I still couldn’t beat him. Now I play right and I loose. Funny game.”
There was a secret behind Whitlock’s success, he revealed he had played so well due to have two tattoos during the tournament and said, “It was so painful it’s helped my concentration levels.” However he was reluctant to reveal what the actual tattoos were.
Impressively, this is Whitlock’s first year in the PDC after switching from the British Darts Organisation. The ‘Wizard’ made a memorable impression to fans with more than just his darts, with his long blonde ponytail and proudly wearing his bright green Aussie shirt. Now the real challenge lies ahead of him as to whether he can beat reigning champion, Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor in tomorrow’s final.