Wessel Nijman crashed out of the World Series of Darts Finals on Saturday evening, losing 10-7 to James Wade in Amsterdam. The Dutchman was left frustrated not just by the defeat, but by the manner in which the match slipped from his grasp.
"That's hard to say," Nijman told Viaplay when asked to reflect on his performance. "In the first session I think I'm behind unnecessarily. In the second session I put it right very well, especially with that 80 finish for 6-6." But right then came a break — an interruption that Nijman admitted came at the worst possible time. "That second break really didn't suit me, because that's when I was just getting into it. In the next session I simply start too weak and he pulls away." Against a player of Wade's experience, that deficit proved difficult to repair. "Then you know he won't make mistakes on his own legs anymore. He breaks once and then it becomes very difficult."
Wade's well-known playing style — taking his time and slowing the pace — also came under the microscope afterwards. Nijman knew what to expect, but admitted it may still have had an impact. "You know it's there and you know he does it. It's a bit of an act how he does it," said Nijman. "That's his experience. He's allowed to do that, because he's not doing anything that's not allowed. But that act does mean that maybe subconsciously, certainly at the start of that first session, I don't really get into my rhythm."
Nijman refused to pin the defeat entirely on Wade's tactics. "You know he's going to do it and that it's going to happen. Still he manages it and that's just a real shame. I still think that if I just come back normally after that second break, it's in my own hands." In terms of level, Nijman had little to reproach himself for. Wade recorded an average of just over 101 and a 63% checkout rate, while Nijman averaged around 98.5 and hit 41 percent of his doubles. "They're small chances," he analysed. "Once I have two darts at 24, miss inside on double 6 and once I miss the bull. Then maybe I could have swung the match the other way. But even then: I just have to come out of that second break better. Then I think it becomes my match, but unfortunately that didn't happen."
The fact that Nijman once again gained valuable big-stage experience offered little comfort. His closing line made clear he now wants more than lessons from these matches. "I'm getting a bit tired of all those experiences. It's time I deliver and really break through."
