VAN DUIJVENBODE REVEALS ADVICE THAT TURNED HIS FORM AROUND

DIRK VAN DUIJVENBODE revealed advice from fellow pro Maik Kuivenhoven helped spark his return to winning ways.

The world No29 snapped a difficult run of form by cruising past Chris Dobey 6-2 to reach the third round of the European Darts Open in Leverkusen.

Van Duijvenbode, 34, had suffered first-round exits in four of his previous five European Tour events before producing one of his most convincing performances of the season.

Afterwards, Van Duijvenbode credited Kuivenhoven for encouraging him to stop overthinking his throw and return to the aggressive style that saw him win three titles back in 2023.

He said: “I am very happy and I have to thank my friend Maik Kuivenhoven. He won yesterday and normally I give him advice.

“But nowadays he is playing well and felt a moment where he was like, 'Let me give Dirk some advice.'

“He said, 'You are putting everything in your points on the board but if you just go like you used to go to the board you are going to win.

“I was like, 'Yeah maybe you're right. 'So, I was thinking about it a lot and I put it through.

“I was aggressive again and I don’t care if my dart is loose or falling out.

“We go for it all the time because I already had something in my head like okay it is not only the board or the points.

“It also in my own head because I create a problem in my head and then I can't fix it.

“Maik said just go for it like you did in 2023 and I felt like I did that today.

“Thank you Maik and I will buy you a steak again.”

The Aubergenius has impressed on the ProTour this year reaching the final of Players Championship 15 and making a further two quarter-finals.

Van Duijvenbode returns to action on Sunday afternoon and will face fellow compatriot Wessel Nijman for a place in the quarter-final at the Ostermann-Arena.

Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning