DRX Defeats FPX in VALORANT Champions 2022 Rematch
In a highly-anticipated rematch, DRX emerged victorious against FPX in the lower bracket of VALORANT Champions 2022. The match ended with a stunning victory for DRX on Haven.
DRX showcased their dominance early on FPX’s map choice, Icebox. Despite not having a duelist, DRX found success on the attack, particularly on the A site, with well-executed strategies. FPX improved their defense towards the end of the first half but still trailed DRX 7-5.
FPX won their second straight pistol round, gaining momentum in the second half. With a nearly flawless bonus round win, FPX easily secured the A site. However, DRX quickly bounced back with a successful retake on the B site using only pistols. Despite this, FPX maintained their momentum, leading 10-8 and forcing a DRX timeout. During the timeout, DRX found the necessary adjustments to tie the map at 11-11 and subsequently took the lead with a well-timed Fade ultimate that disrupted FPX’s B execute. DRX withstood two FPX ultimates, successfully defending against an A execute and ultimately winning Icebox 13-11.
Despite losing on Icebox, FPX put up a strong defensive performance on Haven. SUYGETSU’s surprise Viper pick and individual fragging ability proved valuable for FPX. They led 9-3 at halftime, showcasing a significant improvement compared to Icebox.
DRX refused to let the series go to a third map. They won the first three rounds of their defensive side, including the bonus round, forcing an FPX timeout. Despite some strong post-plant setups by FPX, DRX consistently executed impressive retakes, closing the gap and tying the map at 9-9. DRX eventually took the lead and secured a 13-9 victory on Haven, winning the series 2-0 with a flawless defensive half.
For FPX, the result is bitter as they missed the opportunity to become repeat champions, falling victim to the infamous 9-3 curse. On the other hand, DRX, a team with a history of underperforming at international events, now sets their sights on facing OpTic, a team that has consistently bested them throughout the year.
Keywords: esports, DRX, FPX, VALORANT Champions, rematch, victory, Haven, Icebox, dominant, attack, defense, momentum