Debutant Arno Merk became the first German to reach the second round of the Darts World Championship. The 33-year-old from Lower Saxony defeated Belgian Kim Huybrechts 3:1. To celebrate, he plans a lively evening in London with his team.
Arno Merk, a 33-year-old darts player from Peine-Vöhrum in Lower Saxony, celebrated his debut at the Darts World Championship with a surprising victory. In the opening match at London's Alexandra Palace, he defeated experienced Belgian Kim Huybrechts 3:1 in sets. Huybrechts, a former WM quarterfinalist and ex-world-class pro, tested Merk, but the German remained unfazed.
Merk qualified for the tournament via the Super League. After winning the first set, he jumped joyfully on stage. He dominated the second set with a 3:0 win in legs. "I was really cool. But everything was overwhelming: the atmosphere, the noise. I seem to have handled it well," Merk said after the match on Sport1.
Next, Merk could face Scottish ex-world champion Peter Wright, provided Wright wins his first match against Dutchwoman Noa-Lynn van Leuven. Asked about his plans for the evening in London, Merk joked: "We'll take a pub apart."
A total of eight Germans are competing in the WM, which runs until January 3. The biggest hopes rest on Germany's number one Martin Schindler, followed by Ricardo Pietreczko and Niko Springer, who arrive in good form.
