Krueger Keeps Rolling with Statement Win in Oakbrook Terrace

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Fred Krueger continued his remarkable run of form on Saturday, defeating Alex Spellman 7-4 to claim the Magic Darts Masters title in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois. The victory marked Krueger’s second CDC Tour title and his second triumph in the last three events, further underlining his emergence as one of the top players on the Championship Darts Circuit.

Krueger had claimed his maiden CDC title at the Indianapolis 501 in July, and he added another crown in Oakbrook after coming through a wide-open field in Event Nine. The favorites were eliminated early, with only three seeded players reaching the quarterfinals and fourth seed Spellman the highest-ranked player to progress to the last eight.

Top seed Adam Sevada, the most decorated player on the CDC Tour over the past two seasons, fell 6-1 to Albert Anstey in the Last 16, while second seed Leonard Gates squandered a 3-0 lead against Ram Guevara in the Last 32 before losing in a decider.

Spellman took full advantage of the opportunity, defeating Jason Watt 6-4 in the quarterfinals before producing a commanding 7-2 semifinal win over eighth seed Nick Linberg. Krueger’s route to the final was more dramatic, as he edged Guevara 6-5 in the quarterfinals before seeing off 14th seed Jason Roker 7-3 in the last four.

Roker enjoyed the deepest run of his CDC Tour career, reaching the semifinals after a dominant 6-1 quarterfinal win over Danny Lauby.

In the final, Krueger made a flying start, winning the opening four legs and averaging over 100 in three of them to seize control of the showpiece. Spellman fought back well, taking four of the next six legs to reduce the deficit to 6-4, but Krueger closed the door in the 11th leg to complete a 7-4 victory with an 86.98 average.

The champion produced five legs of 16 darts or better, including 14-dart legs in the fourth and seventh, to cap off another impressive title-winning display.

Watt led the field statistically with an 87.58 average over 31 legs, while Spellman topped the 180 count with seven maximums. Jeremiah Millar produced the highest checkout of the event, taking out 160.

Results

Quarterfinals
Albert Anstey 4-6 Nick Linberg (8)
Alex Spellman (4) 6-4 Jason Watt
Ram Guevara 5-6 Fred Krueger
Jason Roker (14) 6-1 Danny Lauby

Semifinals
Nick Linberg 2-7 Alex Spellman
Fred Krueger 7-3 Jason Roker

Final
Alex Spellman 4-7 Fred Krueger