Andy Baetens dumped reigning champion Rob Cross out of the Baltic Sea Darts Open on Saturday, as Luke Humphries survived an enormous scare in Kiel.
Day Two of the 12 months’s ninth European Tour occasion noticed 16 second spherical matches happen on a marathon day of motion on the Wunderino Enviornment, with Cross one among a number of massive names to exit.
Belgian star Baetens accounted for Dutch veteran Raymond van Barneveld in Friday’s first spherical, and he claimed one other main scalp in Cross, who landed a spectacular 170 checkout in leg 5.
Nonetheless, Baetens was unfazed, reeling off three consecutive legs to wrap up a convincing 6-2 victory and advance to the final 16 of a European Tour occasion for simply the second time.
There shall be a brand new Baltic Sea Darts Open champion topped on Sunday night, after 2023 champion Dave Chisnall suffered a 6-3 defeat by the hands of an in-form Daryl Gurney.
Stephen Bunting was one other high-profile casualty in Kiel, with dwelling favorite Niko Springer averaging 101 to report back-to-back European Tour victories over the second seed.
Humphries – runner-up to Cross in 2024 – virtually suffered an early exit of his personal, surviving a match dart within the deciding-leg of his conflict in opposition to Grand Slam of Darts semi-finalist Mickey Mansell.
The world primary will now tackle Ryan Searle for a spot within the quarter-finals tomorrow, after the Somerset star averaged over a ton to win a quick-fire affair in opposition to Cameron Menzies.
Dutch quantity two Danny Noppert additionally averaged north of 100 in defeating World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker, crashing in seven 180s on his approach to a 6-3 success.
Noppert will play Nathan Aspinall for a quarter-final berth, after the Stockport star started his bid for a 3rd European Tour title of 2025 with a 6-4 win in opposition to Ricardo Pietreczko – who gained three straight legs from 4-1 right down to threaten an excellent comeback.
Residence favorite Niko Springer averaged 101 to report win over Stephen Bunting (Credit score: PDC Europe)
German primary Martin Schindler – aided by 4 maximums – ran out a cushty victor in opposition to Jermaine Wattimena, and his reward shall be an all-German showdown in opposition to Springer.
Northern Eire’s World Cup winner Josh Rock delivered one other eye-catching efficiency to comb apart Justin Hood 6-1, and he’ll renew his rivalry with Welsh primary Jonny Clayton in spherical three.
Clayton defied spirited resistance from World Youth Champion Gian van Veen to triumph in a high-quality contest, earlier than his compatriot Gerwyn Worth averaged 101.73 in a 6-1 drubbing of William O’Connor.
Gary Anderson additionally impressed in Kiel, pinning six of his 9 makes an attempt at double to start his bid for a second European Tour title of the season with a 6-3 victory over Poland’s primary Krzysztof Ratajski.
Former European Champion Ross Smith kicked off his marketing campaign with a whitewash win over Kim Huybrechts, and he’ll now tackle fifth seed Chris Dobey, who put in an completed all-round show to topple Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-3.
Elsewhere, James Wade produced a ruthless show to dispatch Luke Woodhouse 6-1, whereas Wessel Nijman ran out a 6-3 winner in opposition to Australian primary Damon Heta earlier within the afternoon.
The Baltic Sea Darts Open continues with the third spherical on Sunday afternoon, earlier than the event concludes with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and last in a bumper night session.
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