Peter Wright was a long way from his best as he was beaten by Kim Huybrechts (Picture: Getty Images)
Kim Huybrechts believes he has ruined Peter Wright’s season by beating him at the World Darts Championship, while Gerwyn Price hopes Raymond van Barneveld will ‘zip it’ after downing the Dutchman at Alexandra Palace.
It was an eventful day on Tuesday as the tournament returned from its Christmas break, with Wright becoming the biggest name casualty this year so far after a 4-1 loss to Huybrechts.
The defending champion was a long way from his best, winning the first set but then losing four on the spin and averaging just 91.28 for the contest.
The Belgian knew he was taking on a shadow of peak Snakebite, but he didn’t care, thrilled to return to the last 16 where he will face countryman Dimitri van den Bergh.
He knows how hard the result will hit Wright, saying that no matter what you do for the rest of the year, a disappointing World Championship means a bad season.
‘To beat one of the best players in the world, the reigning champion, it means the world,’ said the Hurricane. ‘It wasn’t my best performance. Peter didn’t even play his B-game, but I took my chances where I could and I’ve done what I had to do, so I’m very happy with that.
‘I beat the name Peter Wright, but the person Peter Wright wasn’t there. Normally he’s about 20 times better, but I took my chances and I got the win.
‘I did what I had to do, but normally he plays a lot better, everybody knows that, but I’m a happy man, I’m through to the next round.
Kim Huybrechts has set up a last 16 clash with compatriot Dimitri van den Bergh (Picture: Getty Images)
‘The Worlds makes your season, if you have a terrible season and a good World Championship, it just makes up for everything.
‘The other way around as well, you can have a brilliant season and lose in the first or second round, it ruins your season, mentally.
‘The World Championship is the biggest tournament of the year, Peter Wright is one of the best players, won majors, but this game ruins his season.’
Wright’s preparation for the World Championship this year had been disrupted by his wife’s health problems and he could not find anything like his best stuff on the big stage, either in his first win over Mickey Mansell or in defeat to the Hurricane.
Earlier in the evening there was a classic match which saw Gabriel Clemens edge Jim Williams 4-3 after brilliant performances from both, followed by Price cruising to a 4-0 win over Van Barneveld.
Barney had beaten the world number one twice at the recent Grand Slam of Darts, keeping up his unbeaten record against the Iceman on television.
Price was extremely motivated to end that run and take that particular feather out of Barney’s cap, which he did in style.
‘I just wanted to get a win over Raymond so he can zip it a little bit and not keep talking about how many times he’s beat me on TV,’ said Price.
Gerwyn Price was desperate to improve his record against Raymond van Barneveld (Picture: Getty Images)
‘I don’t think he’s been on any TV events the last couple of years so it’s pretty difficult to beat him if he’s not there.
‘I think he played me when I was just starting, two or three years ago, but when I’m at my game I think he knows that I’m going to beat him.’
Price now takes on either Ryan Searle or Jose De Sousa in the last 16, while Clemens plays either Danny Noppert or Alan Soutar.
Tournament favourite Michael van Gerwen is back in action on Wednesday night as he takes on Mensur Suljovic in the evening session, with Michael Smith also expected to progress when he plays Martin Schindler.
MORE : Ross Smith aiming for the big time after taking the long road to the top of darts
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
‘This game ruins his season.’
