Kuivenhoven relatively easy along Ky Smith

For Kuivenhoven it was the second time that he was allowed to participate in the World Darts Championship. Last year, the Dutchman was allowed to go home almost immediately. Matthew Edgar was then 3-0 too strong. This time Kuivenhoven was up against 19-year-old Ky Smith. On paper an opponent where Kuivenhoven, the number 56 of the Order of Merit, was the favorite.

Kuivenhoven was allowed to start the game and started excellent. The man from Naaldwijk even threw twice the maximum score in the first leg. It was therefore not surprising that Kuivenhoven managed to win the first leg. Not soon afterwards, Kuivenhoven also placed the first break and there was a comfortable lead in the first set. Unfortunately, the 33-year-old Dutchman was unable to cash in on the break, but by breaking the leg again afterward, the first set win was a fact.

After the interruption, 19-year old Smith saw that Kuivenhoven continued to play very concentrated. This resulted in the young Australian having to give up his own leg immediately. Kuivenhoven then managed to keep his own leg and then placed another break, which brought a victory very close: 2-0.

Unnecessarily exciting

Kuivenhoven scored well, also in the third set. It was only the doubles that fell a little less easily. This gave Smith quite a few opportunities. First, Raymond Smith’s son threw a finish of 116 and that instilled some confidence. Smith then managed to break again in the third leg and then won the third set.

This made the match, a bit unnecessarily, exciting again. Fortunately, Kuivenhoven was able to break again immediately. However, Smith did not give up and immediately took the leg from the Dutchman. Smith then had to keep his own leg, but that didn’t work, so the resistance was broken. Kuivenhoven then won his own leg and with it the match. Smith was therefore unable to follow his father’s example and that means that Kuivenhoven will face James Wade in the second round.