Michael van Gerwen arrange a second-round showdown with Rob Cross on the World Collection of Darts Finals after edging Wessel Nijman in an exhilarating first-round conflict in Amsterdam.
Van Gerwen, chasing a record-extending sixth title, overcame a spirited Nijman in a last-leg decider.
Nijman led 2-0, 3-1 and 5-4, however Van Gerwen produced a shocking 132 end on the bull and survived a match dart earlier than sealing victory with a 174 set-up and double 18, averaging 104.75.
“Wessel is a great player, and his cover shooting was phenomenal,” stated Van Gerwen. “I felt great the whole game. This was one of my best performances in Holland for a long time.”
Luke Humphries additionally survived two match darts to defeat 2018 champion James Wade in one other tense affair.
World No 1 Humphries averaged 99 and fired in legs of 14 and 13 darts to overturn a 5-4 deficit.
Luke Humphries survived two match darts to progress
“It was a strange performance,” admitted Humphries. “One minute it was great, the next poor. I’m working my way back into form and I’m pleased to win.”
Prime seed Stephen Bunting was despatched packing by Dutch No 2 Danny Noppert, who now faces World Cup champion Josh Rock.
Noppert received 6-4, whereas Rock sealed a 6-3 win over Krzysztof Ratajski with a 121 bullseye checkout.
Cross made a successful return to the Netherlands, defeating New Zealand’s Haupai Puha 6-3 with a 60 per cent double success price.
Cross lifted the Dutch Darts Masters title in Den Bosch earlier this 12 months.
Damon Heta arrange a second-round tie in opposition to Mike De Decker in Amsterdam
Australian No 1 Damon Heta and World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker will meet in spherical two after beating Joe Cullen and Gabriel Clemens respectively.
Heta cruised to a 6-1 win, whereas De Decker overcame Clemens 6-3, regardless of the German lacking double 12 for a nine-darter.
Kevin Doets opened the night with a slim win over Jermaine Wattimena, surviving 4 match darts to earn a Saturday evening conflict with Humphries.
Friday’s night session
First-round outcomes
- Kevin Doets 6-5 Jermaine Wattimena
- Krzysztof Ratajski 3-6 Josh Rock
- Damon Heta 6-1 Joe Cullen
- Mike De Decker 6-3 Gabriel Clemens
- Luke Humphries 6-5 James Wade
- Wessel Nijman 5-6 Michael van Gerwen
- Stephen Bunting 4-6 Danny Noppert
- Rob Cross 6-3 Haupai Puha
Spherical One concludes Saturday afternoon, with reigning champion Luke Littler going through Simon Whitlock.
Former winners Gerwyn Worth and Jonny Clayton meet American duo Danny Lauby and Jason Brandon, whereas Raymond van Barneveld takes on Norway’s Cor Dekker.
Nathan Aspinall, Chris Dobey, Ross Smith, Peter Wright and Cameron Menzies additionally enter the fray earlier than the second spherical unfolds Saturday night, adopted by Sunday’s quarter-finals, semis and last.
Saturday’s afternoon session
First spherical (better of 11 legs) – from 11.45am
- Chris Dobey vs Luke Woodhouse
- Cameron Menzies vs Peter Wright
- Jonny Tata vs Ross Smith
- Cor Dekker vs Raymond van Barneveld
- Gerwyn Worth vs Danny Lauby
- Luke Littler vs Simon Whitlock
- Jonny Clayton vs Jason Brandon
- Nathan Aspinall vs Dave Chisnall
Confirmed second-round ties
- Luke Humphries vs Kevin Doets
- Danny Noppert vs Josh Rock
- Mike De Decker vs Damon Heta
- Rob Cross vs Michael van Gerwen
Dwell darts is again on Sky Sports activities from October 6-12 because the BoyleSports World Grand Prix is held in Leicester.
