Gerwyn Value started his bid for a record-extending fifth title on the Worldwide Darts Open with victory over Mike De Decker on Saturday, as Luke Humphries additionally made a profitable begin in Riesa.
Day Two of the £175,000 occasion noticed the second spherical happen throughout two classes on the WT Energiesysteme Area, with Value profitable via a high-quality affair towards De Decker.
The Welshman has gained 4 of his eight European Tour titles on this occasion, though he was compelled to defy a ton-plus common from the World Grand Prix champion earlier than closing out a 6-4 triumph.
“I love the German crowds, and I love playing in Riesa,” declared Value, who averaged 99 and wrapped up proceedings with a 119 checkout.
“When I get support like I do here, things happen for me, and hopefully I can become a five-time champion tomorrow!”
Value’s reward for beating De Decker is an all-Premier League tie towards Nathan Aspinall, who opened his bid for back-to-back European Tour titles with a 6-1 demolition of Joe Cullen.
“I feel good. I feel confident,” insisted Aspinall, who has gained every of his final seven conferences towards the previous Masters champion.
“I’ve been saying all week that I’m going back-to-back [on the European Tour], and I’m really looking forward to playing Gezzy now.”
Value and Aspinall can be joined within the final 16 by world primary Humphries, who kicked off his marketing campaign with a 6-1 thrashing of Dirk van Duijvenbode.
The 30-year-old defied a sluggish begin to dispatch the Dutchman, averaging 99, touchdown 5 180s and changing six of his ten makes an attempt at double to cap off an completed show.
Nevertheless, the efficiency of the day was produced by Josh Rock, who averaged 107.61 to see off Gian van Veen 6-4, avenging his defeat to the World Youth Champion in Gottingen a fortnight in the past.
Stephen Bunting was one other stand-out performer on Saturday, averaging 104.91 in his 6-4 success towards Darius Labanauskas, following on from his Premier League exploits in Berlin on Thursday.
The Liverpudlian additionally landed a 170 checkout on his solution to victory, and he’ll now play Cameron Menzies, who edged out James Wade in a contest that noticed each gamers common in three figures.
Stephen Bunting was one other participant to safe his place within the final 16
Menzies’ compatriot Peter Wright additionally gained via a last-leg decider in Riesa, because the 2017 champion fired in a well timed 14-darter to account for European Champion Ritchie Edhouse.
Wessel Nijman gained six of the final seven legs in his conflict towards Chris Dobey to arrange a gathering with eighth seed Damon Heta, who ran out a cushty 6-2 winner towards Mario Vandenbogaerde.
Ross Smith averaged over a ton and landed 5 180s to dismiss Ricardo Pietreczko in equally emphatic model, whereas Dave Chisnall swept apart Luke Woodhouse in his opener.
Raymond van Barneveld continued his spectacular kind with a powerful 6-2 win towards fifth seed Jonny Clayton, and Karel Sedlacek now awaits the five-time World Champion on Sunday afternoon.
Czech star Sedlacek dumped out one other Dutchman in Danny Noppert to succeed in the final 16, as former UK Open champion Andrew Gilding eased via with a whitewash win over Richard Veenstra.
Elsewhere, Dimitri Van den Bergh ended his eight-match winless run on the European Tour with a 6-4 victory towards French trailblazer Thibault Tricole, which units up a tussle towards German primary Martin Schindler.
Reigning champion Schindler completes the final 16 line-up in Riesa, having acquired a bye via to Finals Day after his scheduled second spherical opponent Rob Cross withdrew from the event via sickness on Friday.
The third spherical of the Worldwide Darts Open will happen on Sunday afternoon, earlier than the event concludes with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and last in a bumper night session.
2025 Worldwide Darts Open draw and outcomes
Sunday April 6, final 16
Luke Humphries vs Ross Smith
Damon Heta vs Wessel Nijman
Stephen Bunting vs Cameron Menzies
Raymond van Barneveld vs Karel Sedlacek
Andrew Gilding vs Josh Rock
Gerwyn Value vs Nathan Aspinall
Martin Schindler vs Dimitri Van den Bergh
Dave Chisnall vs Peter Wright
Saturday April 5, Second Spherical
Afternoon Session
Cameron Menzies 6-5 James Wade
Karel Sedlacek 6-4 Danny Noppert
Ross Smith 6-2 Ricardo Pietreczko
Damon Heta 6-2 Mario Vandenbogaerde
Wessel Nijman 6-3 Chris Dobey
Stephen Bunting 6-4 Darius Labanauskas
Dave Chisnall 6-2 Luke Woodhouse
Night Session
Dimitri Van den Bergh 6-4 Thibault Tricole
Raymond van Barneveld 6-2 Jonny Clayton
Gerwyn Value 6-4 Mike De Decker
Luke Humphries 6-1 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Andrew Gilding 6-0 Richard Veenstra
Peter Wright 6-5 Ritchie Edhouse
Nathan Aspinall 6-1 Joe Cullen
Josh Rock 6-4 Gian van Veen
Martin Schindler Bye (Rob Cross withdrew after the occasion started)
The place does the Premier League head subsequent?
The Premier League continues on the AO Area, Manchester on Thursday, April 10 as dwelling favorite Luke Littler and Gerwyn Value conflict in a titanic encounter, whereas Michael van Gerwen faces Chris Dobey. Watch Evening 9 of Premier League Darts, in Manchester, reside on Sky Sports activities Motion from 7pm – stream with NOW.
Sky Sports activities will as soon as once more be the house of the Premier League in 2025, with each night time solely reside together with the World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and extra! Stream darts and extra high sport with NOW
