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The Masters has traditionally acted as a curtain-raiser since its inception and, despite this year being different following the World Series of Darts events in Bahrain and Denmark, the 2023 darting season properly gets underway this coming weekend.
Both Jonny Clayton and Joe Cullen have reigned victorious at the Masters in recent years and then received Premier League call-ups off the back of their success, with this year’s Premier League lineup once again being held back until following the season-opening tournament.
There’s a number of players on the cusp of the Premier League who will be attempting to bolster their chances of being selected. And, opportunity awaits for those players as they get back into the swing of things following a four-week break in between seasons.
QUARTER ONE
Michael Smith and Ross Smith’s encounter in October’s European Championship final was a memorable occasion. Not only was it the latter’s maiden major triumph, but it was a defeat that highlighted the now world number one’s newfound mental strength on his way to becoming world champion.
They could renew rivalries in the second round of the Masters in what would be a mouthwatering contest. Michael Smith has only been defeated on three occasions since that Dortmund defeat, although the lasting confidence Ross Smith gained from his major success has turned him into a dangerous outsider.
World number 17 Smith is one of those aforementioned players with the Premier League carrot dangling in front of them as he prepares for his Masters debut. Him and UK Open champion Danny Noppert should both be in the equation, and they could encounter one another in the quarter-finals.
Smith would need to fend off Damon Heta in the first round, who has struggled for form on TV in recent months, while Noppert has a tricky opener in the shape of either Nathan Aspinall or Stephen Bunting. Aspinall notably spent his January on a family holiday in Florida and could be rusty, but he’s never lost before the quarter-finals at the Masters.
Prediction: Ross Smith beats Danny Noppert in the quarter-finals
QUARTER TWO
Gerwyn Price has put his Alexandra Palace disappointments behind him in recent weeks with some promising showings in Bahrain and Copenhagen, although the crowd will be on his back again as he returns to English shores and the Welshman has been struggling with illness since his World Series stints.
Both Dirk van Duijvenbode and Krzysztof Ratajski could capitalise on an under the weather Price in the second round, with the Dutchman a firm favourite to prevail against Ratajski before facing someone who he has beaten only once in 16 attempts.
Joe Cullen, meanwhile, has lost to the eventual champion eight times in his last twelve televised events since winning the Masters last year. His tricky opener against Chris Dobey followed by Luke Humphries is one of the toughest draws, with both falling into the same bracket of players Cullen did twelve months ago when he grasped his maiden major accolade.
Dobey reached three major quarter-finals and him replicating the standard he produced at Alexandra Palace last month would make him a title contender in Milton Keynes, while the Premier League-bound Humphries needs no explanation following his tremendous breakthrough season last year.
Prediction: Dirk van Duijvenbode beats Joe Cullen in the quarter-finals
QUARTER THREE
Peter Wright banished any doubts heading into the new season during his successful Nordic Masters campaign last weekend. He defeated Michael van Gerwen, Michael Smith and Gerwyn Price during a remarkable run, bursting back into form following a difficult period away from the oche.
His draw certainly isn’t the kindest despite none being particularly favourable when it comes to the world’s top 24, with Dave Chisnall having reached seven quarter-finals and two finals in his ten years at the Masters and Ryan Searle being capable of anything on his given day.
Jonny Clayton, meanwhile, has a more favourable draw against either James Wade or Callan Rydz. Neither were particularly impressive last season, tending to ebb and flow throughout, and both will be vying to hit the ground running in contrasting fashion to yesteryear.
Clayton recorded averages of 103.66 and 98.12 during his World Series exploits in Bahrain and, despite his standard slipping last weekend in Copenhagen, the Welshman has shown promising signs heading into the tournament that sparked his rise into a three-time major champion two years ago.
Prediction: Dave Chisnall beats Jonny Clayton in the quarter-finals
QUARTER FOUR
Can Gary Anderson rediscover his form and produce something to get excited about? It’s a question many have been asking for a few years now, but the two-time world champion practising frequently alongside Ryan Searle in the run up to the new season provides hope.
Anderson begins his campaign against Dimitri Van den Bergh, who recorded two ton-plus averages last weekend in Denmark after throwing mediocre stuff in Bahrain, with the winner of that clash facing the rejuvenated Rob Cross in the second round.
Michael van Gerwen won five Masters titles on the spin between 2015 and 2019 and Milton Keynes is one of his most successful stomping grounds. His uninspiring form in Copenhagen following a two-week Caribbean holiday was nothing to be lured into, and he will now want to get his season on the road.
Whoever prevails between Jose de Sousa and World Championship semi-finalist Gabriel Clemens could provide a test of sorts for Van Gerwen. However, should the Dutchman be anywhere near the version of himself that reached the Alexandra Palace final, they will struggle to withstand his brilliance.
Prediction: Michael van Gerwen beats Rob Cross in the quarter-finals
Overall: Michael van Gerwen beats Ross Smith in the final
