Michael Van Gerwen previews World Darts Championship
Darts star Thibault Tricole launched an arrow at the floor in an angry outburst after winning his first ever set in the World Darts Championship on Monday night. The 34-year-old became the first Frenchman to win a match in the tournament’s history after overcoming Mario Vandenbogaerde at the Alexandra Palace in London.
Tricole found himself up against it during his first round clash and dropped the first set as Vandenbogaerde impressed from the off. But the Frenchman found his form as the match went on and had the chance to close out the second set with a double 20.
Tricole missed the board with his first attempt but nailed it with his second dart as he drew the match level. And he appeared to be furious that it had taken him two efforts to hit the routine double as he proceeded to throw his third dart to the ground as he shook his head from side to side and pointed his thumb towards the floor.
Tricole soon put the incident behind him, however, as he allowed himself to smile before taking a swig of his drink.
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The French star had won the final two legs of the second set and went on to win the first two of the third set as he turned on the style. Vandenbogaerde then rallied with two legs of his own, before Tricole took the lead by clinching the third set. The match was a tight affair from start to finish as every set went to a last-leg decider. But Tricole held his nerve to claim the fourth set and secure the victory.
“Of course I’m proud [to be the first Frenchman to win at the World Darts Championships],” Tricole said after the showdown. “Mario is a good friend of mine so it was very strange for me and for him.
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“I enjoyed his mistakes. He didn’t play his best game but [neither did I]. But a win is a win. It was the first time for him and for me, so it was okay. I’m so proud to be here. It was a good win for [French darts].”
Tricole is set to take on 2018 world champion Rob Cross in the second round on Thursday. And the Brittany-born underdog added: “It was my goal to win the first game and now I’ve done that. I’ve never played Rob. I play quickly sometimes and I make mistakes when I play so quickly. I know Rob plays quite slowly so I need to adapt. But I’m not afraid to lose. I will be better against him.”
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