James Wade became the first seeded player to crash out of this year's World Darts Championship after suffering a crushing 3-0 defeat to Jermaine Wattimena in the second round at Alexandra Palace. The 16th seed and four-time semi-finalist was eliminated in his opening match for the third consecutive year, marking a disappointing early exit for the former world number two.
The Englishman's departure came following a one-sided contest where Wade won just two legs throughout the match. After claiming the opening leg with a 13-darter, Wade's fortunes quickly took a downturn as Wattimena seized control of the match. The Dutchman dominated proceedings, winning eight consecutive legs, which allowed him to move two sets ahead and establish a commanding break advantage.
Wattimena's impressive performance maintained an average of 99.17 throughout the match, significantly eclipsing Wade's average of 97.01. The pace of the match was rapid, with Wattimena wrapping up the first two sets with clinical precision. He showcased his finishing prowess with a stunning 126 checkout, moving him within touching distance of victory. Wade briefly managed to stay alive by finding double 20 with his last dart, but his hopes were dashed when he missed four darts at double 10 during the next leg. Wattimena showed no hesitation, hitting double eight to seal the quickfire victory.
Wade's early exit continues his recent struggles at Alexandra Palace, as he has now been eliminated in his opening fixture for three consecutive years. The defeat follows recent claims from Wade, who had vowed to 'win a major in the next 12 months' during a promotional video for the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). Having candidly acknowledged his past difficulties at the World Championship, Wade stated, "I struggle around the world championships because it's Christmas time I get quite distracted it's probably one of the few times of year I’m quite happy and enjoy things."
On the other hand, Wattimena moves forward with confidence, having previously defeated Swiss debutant Stefan Bellmont 3-0 earlier in the tournament. His commanding performance against Wade indicates he could pose significant challenges to either of his potential third-round opponents, Peter Wright or Wesley Plaisier, after the Christmas break.
Following this victory, Wattimena has enhanced his reputation within the competition, showcasing not just skill but also the mental fortitude needed to succeed at such high-stakes events. His playstyle proved effective against Wade, and he will look to build on this momentum as the championship progresses.
Wade's remarkable career has seen him achieve great heights, but this disappointing exit raises questions about his performance under pressure, particularly at major tournaments held during the festive season. With the darting world eagerly watching, it remains to be seen how both players will respond to this tournament's fallout as they look to refine their skills and strategies for future competitions.
Both players have now shifted their focus toward the next stages of their respective careers, with Wattimena seeking to capitalize on his momentum and Wade perhaps needing to reassess and recharge before his next major challenge. While this year's championship marks yet another early exit for Wade, Wattimena's triumph reflects the unpredictability and excitement inherent to the World Darts Championship. Fans eagerly anticipate the upcoming matches, where surprises may continue to emerge from the players partaking.
