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“I really appreciate him”

“I really appreciate him”

Former World Cup of Darts winners Australian duo Simon Whitlock and Damon Hedda have reached the knockout stage of the 2024 edition after narrow victories in their two group matches.

Although they are a long way from the Australians winning the title in 2022, Hetta and Whitlock topped their group with a hard-fought 4-2 win over Hong Kong's Lok Yin Lee and Man Lok Leung on Friday evening. Hong Kong missed three darts in the outdoor ring against Australia in the fifth leg. Heda then scored 107 runs to take a 3-2 lead at the break. The Australian pair sealed victory with a 15-darter in the sixth leg.

“It's very difficult to get through the groups. Every country plays fantastic darts and it's a lot of hard work,” a relieved Whitlock, who has represented Australia at every World Cup of Darts so far, said at the post-match press conference. Press conferenceBoth the Australians praised their opponents' performance.

“They played well, absolutely brilliant. If they had played on a different day and faced us again, it would have turned out differently,” added Hetta. “But they weren't new. They were literally hanging around for nine hours or something, but to be fair they did well and were comfortable doing their thing there. The Asia tour is the next step and it's nice to see that she's grown up.”

Although the Australians had won the title a few years back, many did not believe the green and gold would win the title this time around. However, the team believes the two's close bond is a huge potential advantage. “That's smart you're doing at the World Championships, mate,” Hedda says fondly to Whitlock. “I really admire him.”