Mark Webster backs Petersen for World Grand Prix title on debut

Mark Webster

Mark Webster is backing Devon Petersen to win the BoyleSports World Grand Prix title in just his first appearance in the double-start tournament.

Former World Grand Prix semi-finalist Webster, who will form part of the Sky Sports coverage at the Ricoh Arena, is backing his commentary colleague Petersen to go all the way in Coventry.

Petersen made history last Sunday as he became the first African player to win a PDC event at the German Darts Championship, with the charismatic 33-year-old set to meet Jose De Sousa on the opening night.

"I think the winner will be either Peter Wright or Gerwyn Price, but I genuinely think Devon could win it," Webster told The Darts Show Podcast.

"People think I'm being daft but this guy is hitting 100 averages all the time. Every time I look at his averages they're always 100 or 100-plus, even when he loses.

"We've seen Dimitri [Van den Bergh] win from nowhere on his debut [at the World Matchplay] so why can't Devon do it?

"It's not just a little lucky run he's had, he's playing ridiculously well.

"He's hitting 180s, if he can get his starting double in then he's a threat because he's averaging 100 every single match.

"I think we could have a surprise winner again.

"Elsewhere, I'm looking forward to the games between Gary [Anderson] and [Rob] Cross, and also Michael [Van Gerwen] and [Krzysztof] Ratajski.

"Obviously, the double start is a leveller and it always makes for a really exciting competition. I'm looking forward to being part of it."

The BoyleSports World Grand Prix will be held behind closed doors at Coventry's Ricoh Arena from October 6-12 2020.

The tournament will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, as well as through the PDC's international broadcast partners including RTL7 and DAZN and for PDCTV Rest of the World Subscribers.

2020 BoyleSports World Grand Prix
Schedule of Play
Tuesday October 6 (1800 BST)
8x First Round

Adrian Lewis v Chris Dobey
Danny Noppert v Ryan Searle
Mensur Suljovic v Dirk van Duijvenbode
Jose De Sousa v Devon Petersen
James Wade v Mervyn King
Rob Cross v Gary Anderson
Michael van Gerwen v Krzysztof Ratajski
Michael Smith v Dimitri Van den Bergh

Wednesday October 7 (1800 BST)
8x First Round

Brendan Dolan v Kim Huybrechts
Jamie Hughes v Stephen Bunting
Jonny Clayton v Ian White
Dave Chisnall v Glen Durrant
Daryl Gurney v Joe Cullen
Peter Wright v Ryan Joyce
Gerwyn Price v Jermaine Wattimena
Nathan Aspinall v Gabriel Clemens