RATAJSKI WINS PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP 15

KRZYSZTOF RATAJSKI won the Players Championship 15 in Hildesheim after he beat Dave Chisnall 8-4 in the final.

‘The Polish Eagle’ hit a 14-darter to break the Chisnall throw and take a 2-1 lead in the match.

World No. 33 Ratajski then pinned in a magnificent 123 bull checkout in the fifth leg of the bout as he extended his lead to 4-1 against ‘Chizzy’.

Six-time major finalist Chisnall reduced the deficit to 4-3 with back-to-back legs of his own

Former World Matchplay semi-finalist Ratajski averaged 101.73 which proved too much for Chisnall in the end as he wrapped up victory with a fabulous 86 finish on the bull.

Following his victory, Ratajski opened up about the challenges he’s faced off the oche — including family concerns and personal health issues.

“It was a very good game. I’m so happy.

“The last two years it was a difficult time for me. I had a health problem and my dad was not good during this time.

“Today I did not play special but it was enough to get through. A lot of my matches were close, but I won so it was good for me.”

The 48-year-old ended a barren run of seven consecutive first round defeats at the Players Championship.

He added: “I did lose seven times in a row which was hard for me but that is darts.

“Every time even if you play very good and average over 100 you can lose.”

Ratajski is now in a provisional spot to play at the World Matchplay in July.

He revealed: “In the back of my head, I knew I had a chance to get to the World Matchplay, this is a very big first step towards that.

“I feel like my game is in a very good place over the last few months.”

Ratajski averaged a super 102.48 to whitewash Carl Sneyd in the last 16.

Warsaw thrower Ratajski later survived a match dart and defied a 102 average from Ross Smith to triumph in a cracking quarter-final match.

Two-time Euro Tour event winner Ratajski ran out a convincing 7-4 winner against Scott Williams in the last four.

Elsewhere, St Helens thrower Chisnall smashed in a nine-darter on the way to a 6-1 triumph over Darius Labanauskas in round two.

Three-time World champion Michael van Gerwen suffered his sixth first round ProTour exit this year as he was edged 6-5 by Dominic Gruellich.

Image by Taylor Lanning.