Clinical Chisnall claims Danish Open crown in Copenhagen

Dave Chisnall ended a six-year wait for a second European Tour title by claiming glory at the 2019 Danish Darts Open on Sunday, denying Chris Dobey in the final.

Chisnall, whose first Euro Tour triumph came at the 2013 German Darts Championship, returned to the winner’s circle in style to clinch the £25,000 top prize at the Brøndbyhallen.

The world number 12, a winner of two Players Championship events this season, came through two tense last-leg deciders on his way to the final – where he denied Dobey a dream first Euro Tour success.

“It’s been a while!” admitted Chisnall. “I felt good all day, there was a good crowd cheering me on and it’s been a fantastic weekend for me. 

“I’ve kept getting close but not finishing the job so this means a lot to me.

“Chris didn’t play his best in the final, luckily for me, but he’s someone I respect and he deserves all the success he gets.”

Chisnall survived a scare in the Last 16 as he defied two missed match darts from Mensur Sujovic in the deciding leg before going on to thrash Jermaine Wattimena 6-1 in the Quarter-Finals with six from nine on the doubles.

The St Helens ace then held his nerve in another dramatic decider, this time against Jonny Clayton, as he landed six 180s and averaged 101 in a 7-6 Semi-Final success.

It was Dobey who made a dream start to the final, following up a stunning 146 checkout in the opening leg with an 87 in the second to double his lead.

Chisnall got off the mark with an 84 checkout for a 12-darter before reeling off the next three straight legs to take command at 4-2.

Dobey stopped the rot with a 100 checkout but only temporarily as Chisnall helped himself to a further three unanswered legs before completing the victory with a clinical 115 checkout.

Dobey entered the weekend in need of a strong run in order to secure a debut in next month’s Betfred World Matchplay, and his run to the final did just that, as well as moving him into pole position for a debut in October’s World Grand Prix.

“I’m definitely pleased with how I played this weekend,” said Dobey, who is now up to a career-high 30th on the PDC Order of Merit.

“I came here to do the job of securing my place in the World Matchplay for the first time and I’ve pretty much done that.

“It just didn’t happen for me in the final but if I could pick a player to lose to it would be Dave, he’s a great lad and he thoroughly deserves this win.”

Dobey began the day by knocking out 2008 world finalist Kirk Shepherd 6-2 before ending the ground-breaking run of debutant Jose De Sousa with a 6-5 victory in which he survived two match darts from the Portuguese star.

Premier League Contender Dobey then recovered from 3-0 down to dump out Gerwyn Price 7-4 in the Semi-Finals with a high checkout of 123.

Elsewhere, number one seed Ian White saw his quest for a third consecutive European Tour title ended after a 6-4 defeat to Jermaine Wattimena in the Last 16.

Sunday June 16

Afternoon Session (12pm-4pm)

Third Round

Gerwyn Price 6-2 Stephen Bunting

Peter Wright 4-6 Joe Cullen

Kirk Shepherd 2-6 Chris Dobey

Daryl Gurney 2-6 Jose de Sousa

James Wade 2-6 Jonny Clayton

Adrian Lewis 3-6 Simon Whitlock

Mensur Suljovic 5-6 Dave Chisnall

Ian White 4-6 Jermaine Wattimena

Evening Session (6.15pm-10.15pm)

Quarter-Finals

Gerwyn Price 6-1 Joe Cullen

Chris Dobey 6-5 Jose De Sousa

Jonny Clayton 6-1 Simon Whitlock

Dave Chisnall 6-1 Jermaine Wattimena

Semi-Finals

Gerwyn Price 4-7 Chris Dobey

Jonny Clayton 6-7 Dave Chisnall

Final

Dave Chisnall 8-3 Chris Dobey