Dirk van Duijvenbode continued his resurgence with an excellent show on Day One of many Elten Security Footwear Dutch Darts Championship, as Raymond van Barneveld additionally loved a successful return on residence soil.
Van Duijvenbode was one among 4 Dutch stars to triumph throughout an eventful opening day in Rosmalen, with Van Barneveld, Wessel Nijman and Jeffrey Sparidaans additionally celebrating victories.
On a day which noticed 12 representatives from the Netherlands in motion, Van Duijvenbode took centre stage with a six-leg blitz of Finland’s Teemu Harju.
The 32-year-old averaged 102.48 and transformed a sensational 164 checkout to wrap up a whitewash win, and James Wade now awaits the enigmatic Dutchman on Saturday evening.
Elsewhere, Van Barneveld was pushed all the way in which to a deciding-leg by qualifier Jerry Hendriks, however the five-time world champion saved his composure to prevail with a 97 common and 5 180s.
Nijman additionally got here via an all-Dutch conflict towards Berry van Peer, surviving three match darts within the penultimate leg to arrange a tie with Peter Wright for a spot within the final 16.
Sparidaans was the solitary host nation qualifier to advance on Friday, dispatching former UK Open champion Andrew Gilding 6-2 to create a showdown towards fifth seed Damon Heta.
Nonetheless, there was bitter disappointment for Gian van Veen and Wesley Plaisier, who suffered deciding-leg defeats towards Boris Krcmar and Cameron Menzies respectively.
Krcmar averaged 100.86 to disclaim world youth champion Van Veen whereas Plaisier spurned six match darts in a gruelling encounter with Menzies, who now faces world No 1 Luke Humphries.
Jermaine Wattimena was additionally denied on residence soil by the rising Niko Springer, who averaged 99 to affix his fellow countrymen Ricardo Pietreczko and Max Hopp in Saturday’s second spherical.
Pietreczko moved into the provisional qualification locations for July’s World Matchplay with a convincing 6-1 success towards Czechia’s Karel Sedlacek.
Hopp, in the meantime, recorded a hard-fought 6-3 win over Luke Woodhouse, however Lukas Wenig was unable to finish the clear sweep, dropping 6-2 to a medical Martin Lukeman.
Mickey Mansell booked his place in spherical two with victory over World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker, in a contest which noticed each leg go together with throw.
De Decker’s compatriot Kim Huybrechts additionally succumbed in a decider towards European Champion Ritchie Edhouse, though there was delight for a formidable Mario Vandenbogaerde.
The Belgian averaged 99.76 in his 6-4 win towards Niels Zonneveld, whereas Daryl Gurney overcame Maik Kuivenhoven by the identical scoreline to spice up his hopes of World Matchplay qualification.
Ryan Joyce – additionally within the hunt for a spot in July’s showpiece – survived match darts to win via a dramatic affair towards the returning Jeffrey de Zwaan, whereas Ryan Meikle ran out a 6-1 winner towards a profligate Joe Cullen.
The £175,000 event continues on Saturday, with the 16 seeded gamers getting into the motion for the second spherical – together with reigning champion Josh Rock.
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