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Gabriel Clemens in London: "Then I'll take James Wade"
Photo:
IMAGO/Shaun Brooks / IMAGO/Action Plus
Germany's best darts professional Gabriel Clemens is confident and full of self-confidence after the successful start of the World Cup in London.
"I don't give a damn about the next opponent," said the 39-year-old after his 3-0 win over Irishman William O'Connor.
When he was asked again on the TV channel DAZN whether he would rather play against the ex-European champion James Wade from England, who was eighth, or the Welsh outsider Jim Williams, Clemens said: "Then I'll take James Wade."
It was a strong start for the German leader at Alexandra Palace.
The match was balanced in the first two sets, but Clemens kept his nerve in the decisive moments and won both rounds.
With an average of over 95 points and two finishes of 132 and 131 points, the "German Giant" delighted the audience.
'It's a game I was hoping for.
I'm absolutely happy and happy," said Clemens.
As world No. 25, he had a bye in the first round.
His third round game will be on December 27 (8:15 p.m., TV: Sport1 and DAZN).
The difference to the 2021 World Cup and the 2022 World Cup is: This time there are no corona rules, according to which the players have to stay in the hotel.
Clemens therefore travels home for Christmas and then comes back in time.
Van Gerwen sovereign
The Dutch top favorite Michael van Gerwen impressively underlined his title ambitions against Lewis Williams (Wales).
In the comfortable 3-0 victory, the three-time world champion gave up just one leg in the first set and shot an average of 101.84 points per shot - 20 points more than his opponent (81.79).
Van Gerwen, who is seeded number three, will play against Mensur Suljovic from Austria or Mike de Decker (Belgium).
ngo/dpa/sid
