Swiss qualifier Stefan Bellmont came agonisingly close to producing another Alexandra Palace upset on Sunday night, pushing world No.16 Damon Heta to a deciding set at the World Darts Championship in London. In a match defined by momentum swings and sustained pressure, Bellmont matched the Australian across five tense sets before Heta’s composure on the doubles ultimately proved decisive. The WP Times reports.
For Bellmont, ranked 95 places below Heta, the performance confirmed that his earlier victory over Raymond van Barneveld was no fluke. The 36-year-old from Cham played with authority, controlled the pace in key phases and repeatedly disrupted Heta’s rhythm. Statistically, the contest was finely balanced: Bellmont averaged 88 to Heta’s 91, while scoring power remained comparable throughout. The crucial separation came at the business end of legs, where Heta converted 55 per cent of his doubles to Bellmont’s 43.
Bellmont set the tone immediately by breaking throw in the opening leg and refusing to be intimidated by the stage or the occasion. The first set was scrappy rather than spectacular, but Bellmont’s nerve held as he checked out on double one — the “Madhouse” — to seize an early lead. Heta, unusually subdued, struggled to find fluency and hovered around a 70 average during the opening exchanges.
The Australian’s response was emphatic. Lifting his tempo and accuracy, Heta produced a blistering second set, recording a set average of 111 to level the match. Yet Bellmont remained unshaken. He again broke early in the third set, protected his own throw with confidence and edged ahead at 2–1, placing genuine scoreboard pressure on one of the tournament’s established contenders.
Set four followed a similar pattern: Bellmont competitive, Heta marginally sharper. The Australian forced a decider and then delivered when it mattered most. Opening the fifth set with a clinical 12-dart leg, Heta finally imposed control on his throw and, after resisting further pressure, converted his third match dart to secure a 3–2 victory and progression to the third round.
Bellmont exits the tournament with his reputation significantly enhanced. His calm demeanour, controlled scoring and willingness to attack doubles under pressure suggest a player capable of regular deep runs on the PDC circuit rather than isolated surprises.
Earlier in the session, the Alexandra Palace crowd witnessed a true shock as Gerwyn Price, the 2021 world champion, was swept aside 3–0 by Dutch outsider Wesley Plaisier. The result underlined the volatility of this year’s championship and reinforced the sense that reputations alone offer little protection on the sport’s biggest stage.
Match overview: Bellmont vs Heta
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Venue | Alexandra Palace |
| Round | Second round |
| Final score | Damon Heta def. Stefan Bellmont 3–2 |
| Tournament averages | Bellmont 88 – Heta 91 |
| Checkout success | Bellmont 43% – Heta 55% |
| Defining moment | Heta opens deciding set with 12-dart leg |
Prize money pathway
| Stage | Prize money |
|---|---|
| Second round | £25,000 |
| Third round | £35,000 |
| Quarter-final | £100,000 |
| Tournament winner | £500,000 |
Heta advances with a warning sign attached, while Bellmont leaves Ally Pally with £25,000, ranking points and growing recognition as one of the breakout stories of this year’s championship.
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