Will Hempel continue his darts fairytale?
It’s going to be a German day at the Ally Pally! For only the second time ever several players from the black-red-gold camp could qualify for the third round of a World Championship Finals. Besides the great hope Gabriel Clemens, a real high-flyer is still in the running with debutant Florian Hempel.
The Cologne native caused the biggest surprise so far in London with his success against the world number 5, Dimitri van den Bergh, and now he could provide double reason for joy from a German point of view.
If he defeats Raymond Smith on Monday afternoon, Max Hopp would keep his 64th place in the Order of Merit and with it his Tour Card for the coming season. The Australian Smith is the only player who could still displace the Idsteiner from this rank. The best bookmakers apparently assume that Hopp will get off lightly.
At least between Florian Hempel and Raymond Smith the odds were rather selected in favour of the 31-year-old Rhinelander. The latter receives around 1.45 odds at the top for a win, while there is a 2.75 on offer for the man from Oceania. The match will be played as the third match in the Afternoon Session on Monday and will start at around 16:00 hrs.
Florian Hempel – Statistics & current form
He couldn’t believe it himself. After the sensational win against Dimitri Van den Bergh, Flo Hempel’s adrenaline level was still high during the interview afterwards. No wonder after he defeated the number 5 of the ranking shortly before on the biggest darts stage in the world. The man from the cathedral city did not succeed at all as the Belgian had a black day.
How well does the Cologne player cope with the hype surrounding him?
Quite the opposite – van den Bergh played an average of over 100 points. But Hempel countered with an average of 98 points and convinced with a sensational double quota of 75 %. So far, this can’t be beaten by any player in London this year. Already in round 1 against his training partner Martin Schindler, Hempel used his opportunities very consistently in a clear 3:0 and was on the spot at the right time.
The world number 87 has finally made the jump to the pros in 2021 and can now crown the year by reaching the third round at the World Championships. The draw means well for the 31-year-old and both the next opponent seems beatable as well as the opponents in the next rounds.
Draw gives hope for a continuation of the fairy tale
Before thinking about a possible duel with Mervyn King or James Wade, the focus is on Monday’s match and despite being the favourite, the Cologne player has to be highly concentrated. Only with a similarly good performance as against Dimitri van den Bergh will he make it into the last 16. Between Florian Hempel and Raymond Smith, one can venture the prediction that a very close and exciting duel is in store in the British capital.
Last matches of Florian Hempel:
World Darts Championship
12/21 2021 – Dimitri van den Bergh 1 – 3 Florian Hempel
12/19 2021 – Florian Hempel 3 – 0 Martin Schindler
Players Championship 30
11/04 2021 – Damon Heta 6 – 1 Florian Hempel
Players Championship 29
11/03 2021 – Florian Hempel 3 – 6 Damon Heta
11/03 2021 – Florian Hempel 6 – 2 Daryl Gurney
Raymond Smith – Statistics & current form
Raymond Smith played the first tournaments of his career in 2008. For a long time he played for the BDO where he reached the final of the WDF World Cup which was his biggest success so far away from the big TV tournaments. The transition to the PDC a few years ago was very successful as well and the “Guru” from Brisbane qualified for the World Championship for the second time
Smith so far convinces with a great consistency
In Round 1, the father of two beat Jamie Hughes somewhat surprisingly with 3:1. Similar to his upcoming opponent from Germany, the Australian also convinced with a very strong check out rate, which was over 50% in both matches so far. Coupled with a very constant average of 93/94 points the second match against Devon Petersen was more or less a formality.
Smith only lost three legs in the whole match against the South African and his dream of the tourcard is still alive. At 42, Smith has plenty of experience and will be looking to put it to good use against his opponent, who is over ten years his junior, on Monday afternoon.
Guru’s experience a decisive advantage?
He feels very comfortable in the role of the underdog in the matches so far and he certainly wouldn’t mind causing the third surprise on Monday. Between Florian Hempel and Raymond Smith, the odds are actually worth considering on the side of the underdog. With a performance like in the first two rounds, a place in the round of 16 is possible in any case.
Last matches of Raymond Smith:
World Darts Championship
12/21 2021 – Devon Petersen 0 – 3 Raymond Smith
12/18 2021 – Jamie Hughes 1 – 3 Raymond Smith
Australian Pro Tour 6
03/08 2020 – James Bailey 2 – 1 Raymond Smith
03/08 2020 – Raymond Smith 2 – 0 Dean Abbott
Australian Pro Tour 5
03/07 2020 – Haupai Puha 5 – 1 Raymond Smith
Florian Hempel – Raymond Smith Direct comparison / H2H record
The direct comparison does not help between Florian Hempel and Raymond Smith for a tip on the upcoming match. The two players are meeting for the first time, which is not particularly surprising. Hempel is a fresh face on the PDC circuit and Raymond Smith plays almost exclusively on his home continent. Accordingly there was not yet the occasion that the ways of the two players crossed.
Florian Hempel – Raymond Smith Tip
The whole of darts Germany will of course keep their fingers crossed for Florian Hempel on Monday. The man from Cologne has already landed the biggest success of his career and hardly anyone would have thought he would reach round 3.
Now there is a danger that the hype around him will become too big and after such a sensational success as against Dimitri van den Bergh, it is not uncommon for concentration to drop a little. This could be his undoing against the experienced guru from Australia and Raymond Smith should by no means be underestimated.
The Australian has played very solid darts so far and will be an unpleasant opponent at the oche. Both players are fighting for by far the biggest win of their careers, so nerves and the mental aspect will play a big part. It is expected to be a very close and contested duel and the player who can confirm his strength in the checkout quota will prevail.
The value is to be found between Florian Hempel and Raymond Smith rather in the odds on the side of the 42-year-old Australian and the Asian handicap (+1.5 sets) offers itself as a very interesting betting option. A decisive seventh round would not come as much of a surprise in this pairing. Eight units are selected as the betting size.
