Luke Littler received his Czech Open marketing campaign off to a flying begin with a assured 6-2 win over Cameron Menzies in Prague.
The world champion headlined Saturday’s late session on the PVA Expo, quickly constructing a 3-0 lead having damaged Menzies’ throw within the second leg.
Littler’s tempo dropped after Menzies had received on the board with a maintain, however one other scientific break within the eighth leg swiftly wrapped up victory because the 18-year-old appears to be like to land back-to-back European Tour titles following his Flanders Darts Trophy success final week.
World No 1 Luke Humphries started his Czech Open title defence with a scrappy 6-4 win over Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode as each males struggled on doubles.
Three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen whitewashed Mike De Decker 6-0 with a staggering 112.73 common to cost into Finals Day with a surprising 112.73 match common and a high end of 154 and he’ll now face Josh Rock who got here by 6-2 towards William O’Connor, discovering a 101 end that includes two bullseyes in a stand-out second.
“To do this again feels amazing, it’s been a while for me,” mentioned an elated Van Gerwen.
“I feel I performed a unbelievable recreation, the primary 4 or 5 legs particularly had been of a really excessive normal.
“It’s been hard for me the last year or so, my confidence level hasn’t been great but if I keep working hard I can keep producing performances like this.
“If I play my recreation I can beat anybody on any day, however I must do it extra usually.”
James Wade landed five maximums and hit 75 per cent on checkouts as he beat Nathan Aspinall 6-3.
Rob Cross had opened the evening session with an impressive 6-1 win over Poland’s Krzysztof Ratajski.
Welshman Gerwyn Price coasted past Germany’s Niko Springer 6-2 while world No 4 Steven Bunting beat Kevin Doets 6-4 to also reach the last 16.
Within the afternoon session, Dutchman Wessel Nijman had edged out ninth seed Damon Heta in a last-leg decider.
Two-time world champion Peter Wright was a 6-2 winner over Slovenia’s Benjamin Pratnemer, whereas Ryan Searle averaged 102.55 in his 6-4 defeat of Dave Chisnall.
There have been additionally second-round wins for Jonny Clayton, Ross Smith, Jermaine Wattimena, Martin Schindler and Dutchman Gian van Veen, who will subsequent face Littler in a replay of the 2023 World Youth Championship remaining.
Second Spherical outcomes:
- Ross Smith 6-4 Andrew Gilding
- Martin Schindler 6-3 Madars Razma
- Wessel Nijman 6-5 Damon Heta
- Jermaine Wattimena 6-2 Chris Dobey
- Gian van Veen 6-2 Danny Noppert
- Ryan Searle 6-4 Dave Chisnall
- Peter Wright 6-2 Benjamin Pratnemer
- Jonny Clayton 6-2 Ryan Joyce
- Rob Cross 6-1 Krzysztof Ratajski
- Gerwyn Value 6-2 Niko Springer
- Stephen Bunting 6-4 Kevin Doets
- James Wade 6-3 Nathan Aspinall
- Luke Humphries 6-4 Dirk van Duijvenbode
- Luke Littler 6-2 Cameron Menzies
- Michael van Gerwen 6-0 Mike De Decker
- Josh Rock 6-2 William O’Connor
Sunday September 7: Spherical Three
Afternoon session
- Luke Humphries vs Martin Schindler
- Rob Cross vs Wessel Nijman
- Stephen Bunting vs Peter Wright
- James Wade vs Ross Smith
- Luke Littler vs Gian van Veen
- Gerwyn Value vs Jonny Clayton
- Michael van Gerwen vs Josh Rock
- Jermaine Wattimena vs Ryan Searle
Night Session
- Quarter-Finals
- Semi-Finals
- Remaining
Stay darts is again on Sky Sports activities from October 6-12 because the BoyleSports World Grand Prix is held in Leicester. Not received Sky? Stream darts and extra with no contract.
