Darts results: Dimitri Van den Bergh beats Gerwyn Price in World Matchplay quarter-finals and mocks Iceman's celebrations

By Chris Hammer

Darts

Fri July 23, 2021 · 3y ago

Dimitri Van den Bergh responded to Gerwyn Price mocking his dancing by cruising to a 16-9 victory in the Betfred World Matchplay quarter-finala - and then imitated the Iceman's muscle-flexing celebrations.

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The world number one initially stoked the fires in an absorbing contest with his own take on Van den Bergh's trademark pre-match moves after taking the 17th leg to reduce his opponent's lead to 9-8.

But the defending champion produced some explosive darts after the interval - coupled with some wasteful finishing from his opponent - to storm 15-8 ahead and although Price pulled a consolation leg back, it was far too little too late.

Van den Bergh, who averaged 102.27 compared to Price's 98.19, finished the job with a 14-darter before taking the opportunity to flex his muscles Price style on the Winter Gardens stage.

Gerwyn Price mocked Dimitri Van den Bergh's dancing so how did VDB celebrate victory... 😂💪 pic.twitter.com/vrgFIW9wks
— Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) July 22, 2021

The 27-year-old hit another 10 maximums to follow on from his second-round record of 14 against Dave Chisnall two nights ago but his finishing is an area he'll want to improve on having missed 25 of his attempts at doubles.

Price, who threw six maximums, spurned 26 of his 35 - with 10 of those coming after dance-gate - although he did hit the highest checkout of the match with a finish from 105 in the opening leg.

The world champion's fine comeback from 6-2 prompted his goading of Van den Bergh but it failed to get in the Belgian's head.

𝗗𝗜𝗠𝗜 𝗜𝗦 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗦

Reigning World Matchplay Champion Dimitri Van den Bergh defeats World Champion Gerwyn Price 16-9 to secure his spot in the Last 4!

Incredible victory for the Belgian! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/KMfGwSsQ0C
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 22, 2021

"I loved it, the crowd were brilliant and I'm so happy to have won that game," said Van den Bergh. "I'm ecstatic and I think I was the deserved winner.

"Gerwyn's the World Champion and world number one and it's incredible to be playing against him - I like him, he's a great man and I have a lot of respect for him.

"He was trying everything but I couldn't let him get into my head. I gave him space and I focused on myself. I had to show a lot of mental strength again.

More David Brent than Dancing Dimi? 🕺 pic.twitter.com/GtgPt7ToKP
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 22, 2021

"My emotions were like a rollercoaster and I'm extremely proud. I fought hard and never gave up, and I knew that's what I had to do against a player like Gerwyn, and it's unbelievable to beat him 16-9.

"It's going to be a big battle on Saturday but I know how good Ratajski is and he showed it again today. He's fantastic and I've got to be focused and believe in myself.

"It would be unbelievable to be one of those players who defends this title but I've got to keep my feet on the ground."

In the night's other match, Krzysztof Ratajski reached the first major semi-final of his career by overpowering Callan Rydz.

The Polish Eagle got off to a slow start as first-time quarter-finalist Rydz edged into an early 2-1 lead but after that it was one-way traffic in both the scoreline and the stats.

Ratajski stormed to an 16-8 triumph with an impressive average of 97.34 compared to his opponent's 88.11 while he threw nine of the 13 180s and also weighed in with three 100+ checkouts, including a high of 141 that put him 15-7 up.

𝟭𝟰𝟭 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗞𝗢𝗨𝗧

What a finish that is as Ratajski moves one leg away from the semi-finals with a HUGE 141-out! pic.twitter.com/lsx6WTcru5
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 22, 2021

The 44-year-old, who is ranked 13 in the world, had previously reached the last eight of last year's World Matchplay in Milton Keynes as well as the same stage of the 2021 World Championship and the UK Open, so now he'll have eyes on a maiden final.

"I'm really happy and I feel great," said Ratajski. "It's really something big for me. My experience was very important - every match on this stage is big and I expected a hard match but Callan was not in his best form.

"I felt comfortable on stage and my average was quite good, especially with so many misses at doubles.

"Every player dreams of winning this trophy so I hope I can play the semi-finals with less mistakes and do better on my doubles. It will be the biggest match of my career."