Van Duijvenbode reveals his son inspired World Matchplay breakthrough run

DIRK VAN DUIJVENBODE revealed his “stomach pain” fuelled an emotional run to his first Winter Gardens semi-final.

The world No27 averaged 100.98 to hold off a late comeback from Gary Anderson, who battled back from 15-8 down but ultimately lost 16-13.

Van Duijvenbode, 34, ended a run of four straight defeats to the Scot and had won just one televised match all year before his superb run in Blackpool.

The Dutchman admitted he carried a pain in his belly throughout the thriller but used thoughts of his son to deny Ando.

He said: "To be fair the break couldn't come at a worse moment. You just know Gary loves the game. He never gives up.

"He's probably the best in the world when he hits the trebles.

“At some point I felt nerves in my stomach. Every time my boy rings me when I’m away he always says I have pain in my stomach.

“That is because he does not want me to go away. So, I felt that pain in my stomach. So, when I went really good before my last session I thought of my boy.

“I was like I have this stomach pain. He has a stomach pain when I leave. I was can’t let him down now.”

The Aubergenius is aiming to lift his first televised PDC title and end a three year wait for silverware, stretching back to his Players Championship 10 triumph.

Van Duijvenbode returns to action Saturday where he will face Luke Littler for a place in the final at the World Matchplay.

Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning