WADE EYES BELGIUM OPEN SUCCESS

By Aaron Nijjar 

JAMES WADE is targeting a semi-final run at the Belgium Open.

World No.12 Wade is a two-time EuroTour winner and has reached three finals.   

Although, his last title on the European Tour came in 2016 when he won the European Darts Matchplay.  

Wade in his Daily Star column said: “The aim in Belgium is to make the quarters or semi-finals and get back to where I belong in the top ten in the order of merit.”  

‘The Machine’ reached the final of the UK Open last weekend.  

10-time major winner Wade beat world no.1 Luke Humphries 10-9 in the quarter-finals on his way to finishing as runner-up.   

The close contest was etched in controversy, after Wade appeared to lick ‘Cool Hand’s’ neck before the action got underway.   

Humphries didn’t respond at the time – but bumped shoulders with Wade rather than shaking hands after his defeat.  

Wade has discussed his UK Open run.   

But he has NOT referenced the infamous lick.  

He wrote: “The reason I have done so well when I have played in the UK Open, is timing it right to perform at my best in the big moments.  

“I did it in particular in the Luke Humphries match, where in the last three legs I hit six 180s, had something close to a 140 average and ultimately finished my doubles when those opportunities were given to me.  

“I also think it’s about how you deal with pressure, absorb it and ultimately thrive on it.  

“I thrive under pressure and at the weekend when the pressure was applied against (Cameron) Menzies, Humphries, and to a slightly lesser extent the (Robert) Owen match, I used it to my advantage and it helped me to get across the line.”  

Former two-time World Grand Prix champion Wade then addressed his 11-2 drubbing to Luke Littler in the UK Open final.  

“Now some might say – and many did on social media – what happened to thriving on pressure and focusing in the moment in the final. 

“As I said in my interview afterwards, hands up I got smashed to bits but by a phenomenal performance from Luke Littler.  

“There were some mitigating factors – the back spasm I had and accidentally stabbing my hand with my darts – but these are not excuses as there are none.”   

Teenage sensation Littler won the 2024 iteration of the Belgian Darts Open after beating Rob Cross 8-7 in the final.  

The tournament runs from Friday, March 7 until Sunday, March 9. 

Afternoon session starts at Midday and the evening session starts at 6pm. 

Seeded players do not enter the competition until the second round on Saturday morning. 

The first round to the quarter-finals are the best of 11 legs (first to 6), the semis are best of 13 (first to 7), and the final is best of 15 (first to 8). 

Image by Kieran Cleeves.