Dirk van Duijvenbode booked his place in the quarter-finals of the Swiss Darts Trophy in Basel on Sunday afternoon, defeating Michael Smith 6-3 in the last 16 — but the Dutchman was far from satisfied with his own performance afterwards.
Nerves caused him particular trouble throughout the match. "I felt so nervous," Van Duijvenbode admitted. "I'm just happy that I eventually won." Relief prevailed for the "Aubergenius", who stressed that this weekend is mainly about the result. In Van Duijvenbode's view, Smith also failed to reach the level he normally produces.
The closing stages created particularly high tension. The Dutchman explained how he deliberately chose a different approach with 96 remaining because he expected Smith to take out his own opportunity. "On that 96, I thought, 'He's not going to finish that.' He always hits those finishes, so I decided to go for the 19s to save myself." That decision ultimately paid off, although it did not go exactly as planned. "I pulled it into a 19 and double 19. I mean, double 19, double 19 — you never feel safe." He added: "I was just thinking, 'Go inside, and if you pull it, it's in.' Then you can add up another dart, and that's what I did."
For Van Duijvenbode, the victory was far more important than the performance. "He didn't play how he normally does, and neither did I, but I won," he said. "Sometimes it doesn't matter how you win. For me, this weekend isn't about how you win, but that you win. That's the main thing."
In the quarter-finals, Van Duijvenbode will face Mensur Suljovic, an opponent he particularly enjoys playing against. The Austrian is known for his measured pace and distinctive rhythm at the dartboard, promising a very different match from the clash with the brisk-paced Smith. But Van Duijvenbode made clear that Suljovic's style does not bother him. "I love it. I love slow players and players who try to put me off. I love it." He even hopes Suljovic will do everything possible to unsettle him. "Hopefully he tries his best to put me off, because that makes me angry. I'll be better then."
