Rampant King whitewashes Wade at the World Series of Darts Finals

Mervyn King produced a personal record average at the World Series of Darts Finals to whitewash James Wade on opening night in Amsterdam.

An unplayable King registered his highest televised average of 115.62 in a demolition of former champion Wade at the AFAS Arena.

Wade was denied a dart at a double as King stormed into a Second Round tie with Latvia’s Madars Razma on Saturday.

King landed a sensational 144 checkout in the opening leg, and also produced legs of 12, 11 and 12 darts during a relentless performance in which he finished six doubles from nine attempts.

An entertaining opening night at in Amsterdam saw four Dutchmen enjoy victories, headlined by impressive debutant Maik Kuivenhoven.

Kuivenhoven set up an all-Dutch tie with 2019 winner Michael van Gerwen courtesy of a stunning doubling display – hitting six doubles from as many attempts in a 6-2 defeat of John Henderson, closing out the win with a superb 146 combination.

Dirk van Duijvenbode set up a repeat of the 2020 World Grand Prix final by easing to a 6-2 win in an all-Dutch clash with Jeffrey de Zwaan.

De Zwaan hit back from 2-0 down to 3-2 by taking out 170 and then hitting six perfect darts in an 11-darter, only to see Van Duijvenbode claim successive 14-darters as he pulled clear for victory.

Vincent van der Voort came from 2-0 down against Nathan Aspinall to move through to the last 16 with a 6-3 win, creating a contest with Premier League champion Jonny Clayton on Saturday.

Aspinall made the brighter start but saw Van der Voort – buoyed by the support of his home crowd – take five successive legs as he pulled clear to progress.

Qualifier Niels Zonneveld delighted the Dutch crowd with a 6-3 defeat of Dave Chisnall, as the left-hander moved into a meeting with two-time World Champion Gary Anderson.

Zonneveld secured an early break of throw in taking a 3-1 lead, and held his cushion before landing double ten to secure a memorable win.

2019 runner-up Danny Noppert was unable to join his fellow countrymen in round two, losing out 6-2 to Jose de Sousa as the Grand Slam of Darts champion hit six doubles from seven attempts.

Legs of 13 and 14 darts gave Noppert an early 2-1 advantage, but De Sousa reeled off the next five without reply, ending the tie with an average of almost 104 as he moves through to face Dimitri Van den Bergh on Saturday.

Krzysztof Ratajski will meet Nordic Darts Masters runner-up Fallon Sherrock in round two after his 6-3 defeat of Gabriel Clemens.

Clemens took out 117 and an 11-darter as he moved 2-1 up, only for Ratajski to turn the tie with three straight legs before closing out victory.

Belgium’s Kim Huybrechts continued his strong recent form with a 6-3 win over Michael Smith, setting up a tasty second round meeting with world number two Peter Wright.

Smith, the 2018 runner-up, led 2-1 early on, but legs of 14, 13 and 13 darts moved Huybrechts into an advantage he would never surrender.

WATCH THE WORLD SERIES OF DARTS FINALS STREAMED LIVE HERE (18+)

World Series of Darts Finals 2021 Results

Friday October 29

First Round

Kim Huybrechts 6-3 Michael Smith
Krzysztof Ratajski 6-3 Gabriel Clemens
Maik Kuivenhoven 6-2 John Henderson
Mervyn King 6-0 James Wade
Niels Zonneveld 6-3 Dave Chisnall
Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-2 Jeffrey de Zwaan
Vincent van der Voort 6-3 Nathan Aspinall
Jose de Sousa 6-2 Danny Noppert