Paul Nicholson names surprising name as one of best double 10-hitters: ''He is like a left-handed Dennis Priestley''

During the Dutch Darts Championship in Rosmalen, Ryan Meikle once again showed why, according to analyst and former top player Paul Nicholson, he belongs to the absolute world top when it comes to finishes on double 10.

'The Barber,' as his nickname goes, recorded an impressive 6-1 victory over Joe Cullen in the opening round on Friday, his first victory on the Euro Tour since 2023. In the process, Meikle hit six of his 10 attempts at the double.

Although Meikle went down 6-4 in the second round against Ryan Searle, he again showed flashes of his class. The 28-year-old darter from Suffolk is currently 64th in the world rankings, but impresses connoisseurs with his sharpness on the doubles.

During the broadcast of the tournament, Paul Nicholson could hardly hide his admiration. In his comments, he compared Meikle to none other than James Wade, known for his coolness on finishes.

“Meikle’s game is very much like James Wade," Nicholson said. "Twelves, tops and tens. Now I don’t have the stats to back this up. But this is a feeling based on watching Ryan for the last decade.

The former major winner went even further. “I think he is one of the best double 10 hitters in the world. He must be in the top three percent. The feeling I have when he’s got double 10 is he will hit this.

“He is like a left-handed Dennis Priestley. That is maybe the best compliment I can pay him.”

The numbers partially prove Nicholson right. Meikle's finishing percentage on doubles this year is 51.86%, the fourth highest percentage on the entire PDC Tour. Although his performance at major tournaments is still shaky, this statistic at least provides perspective for Meikle.