Ratajski fights back to deny Wattimena and win third European Tour title

Ratajski fights back to deny Wattimena and win third European Tour title
Ratajski fights back to deny Wattimena and win third European Tour titleSebastian Doppstadt / PDC Europe

Krzysztof Ratajski won the European Darts Open for the third time on Sunday night, with an 8-6 victory over Jermaine Wattimena in a dramatic final in Leverkusen.

The Pole claimed his first title of the year by recovering after Wattimena had reeled off five successive legs to turn a 4-1 deficit into a 6-4 lead.

Ratajski responded by winning the final four legs, taking advantage of missed doubles before sealing victory on double 10.

“I’m really happy. I don’t know what to say,” Ratajski said after clinching the title.

“It was a close game. Jermaine played very well and I’m really happy that I survived it."

Ratajski with the trophy
Ratajski with the trophySebastian Doppstadt / PDC Europe

“I didn’t expect it. I would have been happy with the last eight or last four, so to win the title is more than I expected," Ratajski continued.

“I will do my best in Blackpool (World Matchplay). I hope I will play well and hopefully I can win that first match. We will see.”

Ratajski's run to the title included victories over Gian van Veen, who he'll face again in Blackpool next week, as well as defending champion Nathan Aspinall and World Cup teammate Sebastian Bialecki.

Wattimena, meanwhile, reached his first-ever European Tour final after an impressive weekend that included emphatic wins over Kim Huybrechts and Ryan Joyce, a deciding-leg victory against Luke Woodhouse and a 7-3 semi-final triumph over Damon Heta.

“I’m very happy with that,” Wattimena said. “Thank you very much to the crowd. It was a magic day.

“I missed some chances, but Krzysztof was 4-1 up and he missed some chances as well, so I think it’s a fair result. Krzysztof was the better player, so well done to Krzysztof.”

Results

Round three

Jermaine Wattimena 6-1 Ryan Joyce

Luke Woodhouse 6-5 Jonny Clayton

Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-3 Wessel Nijman

Damon Heta 6-4 Michael van Gerwen

Sebastian Bialecki 6-4 Kevin Doets

James Wade 6-2 Jan Schmidt

Nathan Aspinall 6-4 Ross Smith

Krzysztof Ratajski 6-3 Gian van Veen

Quarter-finals

Jermaine Wattimena 6-5 Luke Woodhouse

Damon Heta 6-2 Dirk van Duijvenbode

Sebastian Bialecki 6-2 James Wade

Krzysztof Ratajski 6-4 Nathan Aspinall

Semi-finals

Jermaine Wattimena 7-3 Damon Heta

Krzysztof Ratajski 7-5 Sebastian Bialecki

Final

Krzysztof Ratajski 8-6 Jermaine Wattimena

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