With the elimination of Kleermaker, all Dutchmen are out of the tournament. It is the first time since 2012 that our compatriots have reached the last eight. That irregular statistic is often made possible in part by the damned coronavirus. Both Vincent van der Voort and Michael van Gerwen were unable to participate in the third round due to a positive test.

Van Gerwen, a three-time winner and a total of five-time finalist, is normally a certainty in the last eight of the PDC World Cup. Since 2013, the 32-year-old from Brabant has made at least the last eight eight out of nine times. Only in 2016 was Van Gerwen missing in that phase of the tournament, because he was stopped by a brilliant Raymond van Barneveld. The resident of The Hague also had to deal with a positive corona test this World Cup, but that was only after his defeat against Rob Cross.

Kleermaker can say goodbye to this global championship with his head laid down. The Dutch Giant won against Simon Whitlock and Joe Cullen, among others, but against the cold-blooded Wade it was nowhere near good to come close to the Englishman, who did not score great, but as so often turned out to be hugely murdered on his double .

James Wade in action. Left Martijn Kleermaker

ⓒ LAWRENCE LUSTIG

Wade will compete in the last eight against Mervyn King, who again reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup after ten years.