Peter Wright claimed his first individual PDC title of the season by defeating Gabriel Clemens 8-6 in the German Darts Masters final.
Snakebite had endured a disappointing 2019 by his lofty standards prior to winning the World Cup of Darts alongside Gary Anderson last month and he's not taken long to follow it up with a first solo triumph since landing the Melbourne Darts Masters last August.
Wright, who was beaten by eventual champion Nathan Aspinall in the semi-finals of the US Darts Masters last weekend, clinched this title for the second time in three years as he gave his confidence ahead of next week's World Matchplay a real shot in the arm.
🎯🏆 Peter Wright wins his first individual PDC title of the season!
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) July 13, 2019
🐍 Snakebite follows up his World Cup of Darts triumph last month by beating home favourite Gabriel Clemens in the German Darts Masters final! pic.twitter.com/4voacZKzYa
It's the fourth televised title of his career and 23rd overall while Clemens can take a lot of heart from a superb weekend in front of 8,000 home fans at the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, where he defeated Raymond van Barneveld, Rob Cross and Mensur Suljovic en route to his third final of the season.
The German Giant was backed on these pages at 80/1 each-way despite never reaching a televised final before but having now showing his rich potential on a big stage, he'll certainly be one to watch in future events.
Wright was also tipped at 10/1 in our pre-event preview, making this a profitable weekend for followers of our darts previews.
🎤 Hear from your 2019 German Darts Master, Peter Wright, after his title victory tonight here in Cologne... pic.twitter.com/GgDfwniQLy
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 13, 2019
Neither player was able to produce their finest performances of the weekend when the trophy was on the line but Wright's average of 93.27 was marginally better than Clemens' 92.69 while he hit three more 180s with five and hit eight of his 23 attempts at doubles, with his opponent missing 15 of his 21.
The 35-year-old underdog, who had reached two Players Championship finals earlier this year, did make a superb start as he raced into a 3-1 lead courtesy of a 134 finish that featured a pair of double tops.
DOUBLE DOUBLE!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 13, 2019
He's been magnificent all weekend on doubles and this time he hits two tops for a lovely 134 finish as Clemens enters a 3-1 lead in the Final pic.twitter.com/XkFtunR4Ky
Wright, whose highest checkout was a 116 in the third leg, pulled it back to 4-4 before going ahead for the first time with a clinical 11-darter and from there he was able to keep his nose in front and clinch the title.
"It feels great to win this title again, I thought I was in the form to win it but you never know because there are so many good players who can beat you," said Wright, who won the £20,000 top prize.
"There were a few moments where I was lucky but I think I was skilful enough and mentally strong enough to win it. I'm coming back to my best but I'm not there yet.
"I've played Gabriel a couple of times and he's an amazing player, hats off to him. German darts has gone through an incredible rise and it's only going to keep growing, this tournament showed that."
Gabriel Clemens thrilled the home crowd as he reached the German Darts Masters final with an 8-3 victory over the defending champion Mensur Suljovic.
The 35-year-old, who was tipped up on these pages at 80/1 each-way, followed up his victories over Raymond van Barneveld and Rob Cross this weekend to reach his first PDC televised final.
CLEMENS IS INTO THE FINAL!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 13, 2019
After defeating Van Barneveld, Cross and now Suljovic, Gabriel Clemens is into the final of the 2019 German Darts Masters
Peter Wright stands in his way of the title... pic.twitter.com/Xaq7VnLOxj
Suljovic wiped out Clemens' early 2-0 lead with an 11-darter before restoring parity at 3-3 but after that it was one way traffic as the German Giant reeled off five legs on the spin to claim an impressive victory with an average of 92.61, while he hit eight of his 19 darts at doubles.
He will now face 2017 champion Peter Wright, who was also tipped up at 10/1, after Snakebite overcame James Wade 8-4 in the first semi-final.
The Scotsman is bidding for his first individual PDC title of the season having won the World Cup of Darts alongside Gary Anderson and he'll be favourite following another morale-boosting display.
Wright averaged 96.3 compared to Wade's 90.27 while he was also slightly more clinical on his doubles, taking out 8 of his 15 attempts as the Machine spurned five of his nine.
Both players did manage 121 checkouts in an entertaining affair but it was Wright who came through to reach his second final of the season.
Anything you can do, I can do better...
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 13, 2019
Wright also wanted a piece of the 121 action, taking it out in spectacular fashion to enter a 7-4 lead, he needs just one more for a place in the final... pic.twitter.com/T1Dkmz8H6M
James Wade dismantled an awful performance Daryl Gurney as he waltzed into the German Darts Masters semi-finals with an 8-0 victory in Cologne.
Gurney may not play this badly in his entire career, averaging just 74.78 and managing just one dart at a double - which he obviously missed.
WHITEWASH!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 13, 2019
Who saw that coming?! Daryl Gurney averages 74.78 and only has one shot at a double during an 8-0 demolition job from "The Machine" James Wade!
He's into the Semi-Finals to play Peter Wright... pic.twitter.com/XDqwalokFG
James Wade emphatically punished the Northern Irishman by averaging 97.76 and hitting eight of his 12 darts at a double.
In the opening match of the night, Gary Anderson's conqueror Nico Kurz was unable to repeat his heroics against Peter Wright but he did run him close in an 8-6 defeat.
The 2017 champion averaged 97.29 despite missing 18 of his 26 attempts at doubles although he did manage the highest checkout of the match with a superb effort from 143.
MASSIVE!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 13, 2019
Incredible stuff from Peter Wright as he levels the match at 1-1 with an incredible 143 finish... pic.twitter.com/jsa2Lkmw4E
Kurz, 22, had the 8,000 German support on his side like he did against the Flying Scotsman and back-to-back legs in 13 and 15 legs gave himself a glimmer of a chance at 7-5 before Wright finished the job.
WRIGHT WINS!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 13, 2019
Nico Kurz offered a spirited comeback but his tournament comes to an end as Peter Wright comes out the 8-6 victor in the opening match of the night pic.twitter.com/nXVr77DTIR
Martin Schindler was unable to raise the roof for the second night running as he crashed out against Mensur Suljovic.
The 22-year-old came from 5-1 down to stun Michael van Gerwen 6-5 on Friday night but he averaged just 91.05 and missed six darts at doubles as defending champion Suljovic ran out a comfortable 8-2 winner with an average of 100.89.
There was joy for the home fans, however, when Gabriel Clemens pulled off a great result to defeat Rob Cross 8-5 and set up a clash with Suljovic.
The 35-year-old is enjoying a superb season having reached two Players Championship finals and a clinical display on his finish helped him deft Voltage's 105.86 average.
Cross found himself 7-3 against the German Giant despite his high scoring before a 124 checkout completed a 12-darter, which he followed up with an 11-darter to keep his faint hopes alive.
But Clemens, who had earlier made a match high 131 checkout for an 12-darter and also took out 84 for another in 11, finished kept his cool in the 12th leg to seal another impressive win.
HUGE FROM CLEMENS!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 13, 2019
Gabriel Clemens levels the match at 3-3 with an incredible 131 finish... pic.twitter.com/aFhY3CROdC
Friday July 12
First Round (Best of 11 legs)
Saturday July 13
Quarter-Finals (Best of 15 legs)
TV Coverage: ITV4 from 8pm BST
Semi-Finals (Best of 15 legs)
Final (Best of 15 legs)