Wright in free fall: Will Snakebite suffer another defeat?
Just a few months ago Peter Wright won the World Championship title for the second time in his current career. Since then, however, the year 2022 has been mixed for “Snakebite” – especially April 2022. In the last seven matches there was only one win for Wright. It is quite possible that the current form crisis will continue at the Austrian Darts Open 2022.
Wright got a hammer draw to start the tournament and will meet Callan Rydz in the second round. The youngster had already challenged the Scottish veteran in the 2022 World Championship and only just missed a semi-final. For the first time since the quarter-final defeat Rydz and Wright will meet again
For the 23-year-old Rydz there is a chance for revenge. “The Riot” has already played one match in the current tournament and even celebrated a 6:0 victory. If Rydz builds on his Whitewash success, a surprise against Wright cannot be ruled out either
The bookmakers see the ranking leader “Snakebite” as the favourite for Wright vs. However, a bet on a win for Peter Wright is by no means recommended in view of the recent form curve.
Wright – Statistics & current form
Wright is wobbling. The world number one of the PDC didn’t get into the winning lane in the last weeks and conceded six defeats in the last seven matches. Three of the four defeats for “Snakebite” took place in the Premier League, among them the latest defeat against Jonny Clayton.
Though Wright played with an average of 97,09 the 52 year old didn’t see any country against the PL competitor. Like the week before Clayton defeated Wright for the second time in a row – this time even with a 6:3 and an average of 100,44. Now on the European Tour “Snakebite” has the chance to make amends.
At least Wright had a manageable half of the tournament. Only the tournament opener is a challenge: Wright meets Rydz – for the second time this calendar year. The Englishman had already played a match on a par with “Snakebite” during the 2022 World Championship. Only with a 5:4 – after sets mind you – and a total of 17 180s Wright won the match.
Does Wright defy recent form curve?
With the current form, we think it’s a bit risky to bet on the Scotsman this time in Wright vs Rydz. Especially as “Snakebite” already had to pack his bags at the last European Tour, the German Open, after the failed tournament opener. The average on Saturday evening will show the way.
As we know, Rydz plays with a three-throw average of almost 100. Compared to the tournament opener at the last European Tour, where Wright threw an average of “only” 91.67, the Scot has to improve a lot this time. It also remains to be seen whether “Snakebite” has already digested the recent defeat against Clayton.
Last matches of Wright:
Austrian Open
01/05/2022 – Peter Wright 3 – 6 Callan Rydz
PDC Premier League
29/04/2022 – Jonny Clayton 6 – 3 Peter Wright
22/04/2022 – Jonny Clayton 6 – 5 Peter Wright
22/04/2022 – Peter Wright 6 – 5 Joe Cullen
German Grand Prix
18/04/2022 – Peter Wright 5 – 6 Scott Waites
Rydz – Statistics & current form
Callan Rydz is burning for revenge. For the first time since the World Cup defeat almost four months ago, the English youngster will meet Wright again. At the 2022 World Championship in the Ally Pally “The Riot” Rydz only missed the semi-finals by the narrowest of margins. At one point Rydz was even leading 4:3 against “Snakebite”. In the end, however, he lost in the all-important ninth set.
However, the World Championship fairytale was only a snapshot. Since then, the 23-year-old has stumbled on the tour and suffered some surprising defeats. Rydz has yet to win a tournament this calendar year. Surprising though, because after the World Championship 2022 Rydz was still praised as a potential top 10 player.
The Austrian Darts Open started for “The Riot” with a whitewash against Dietmar Burger. Against the clear underdog from Austria Rydz won 6:0. The Englishman had an average of 98,02. Three times Rydz threw the “180” over six legs.
Mature test against Wright
Compared to Burger, Rydz now faces a real acid test. Wright, after all, is of a completely different calibre than “The Riot’s” most recent opponent. Nevertheless, the Englishman will not hide, after all Rydz already defied the world number one of the PDC at the World Championship 2022.
Last year Rydz won 6:3 against “Snakebite” on the European Tour in Gibraltar. For “The Riot” it was the first and so far only win against Peter Wright. If the next success beckons, odds of 2.75 are paid out for a prediction on the Englishman for Wright vs.
Last matches of Rydz:
Austrian Open
01/05/2022 – Peter Wright 3 – 6 Callan Rydz
29/04/2022 – Dietmar Burger 0 – 6 Callan Rydz
German Grand Prix
17/04/2022 – Callan Rydz 3 – 6 Keegan Brown
Players Championship 13
10/04/2022 – John Henderson 6 – 3 Callan Rydz
10/04/2022 – Callan Rydz 6 – 0 Jose Justicia
Wright – Rydz Tip
For Callan Rydz the match against Wright is quite convenient. Not only because the Englishman can take revenge for his 2022 World Cup defeat on Saturday night, but also because Wright is currently in a slump of form. After all, “Snakebite” has lost six of the last seven matches. Only last Thursday there was a heavy defeat (3:6) against Clayton.
Rydz, on the other hand, has successfully mastered his last match. In the tournament opener against Burger, “The Riot” even prevailed against the Austrian with an impressive whitewash (6:0). The aim now is to build on that in his second round match against Wright.
As Rydz has already gained match practice in Graz, we think a successful start into the match against “Snakebite” is obvious. The Englishman was always the first player to hit 180 in his last two matches on tour. It’s quite possible that the series will continue against the world number one of the PDC
