Florian Hempel booked his spot in the Second Round of the International Darts Open after beating James Wilson 6-4 at the SACHSENarena.
The Winmau player goes through to face 14th Seed Josh Rock in the Last 16, with the match set to take place towards the latter stages of Saturday’s afternoon session.
The thrower from Dessau claims his first win on the PDC European Tour this year, having also qualified for the Baltic Sea Darts Open and the European Darts Open last week.
Brendan Dolan included 3 180s and an average off 97.21 in beating hometown favourite Pascal Rupprecht in Riesa. The Northern Irishman advances in the 3rd Euro Tour Event of 2023, going through to face 2nd Seed and World Cup of Darts winner Damon Heta on Saturday afternoon.
The History Maker included a perfect 9 dart leg in Players Championship 7, beating Richard Veenstra 6-2 in the Second Round in Hildesheim.
Elsewhere, Alan Soutar returned to European Tour action as he opened the event at the SACHSENarena against Dutch international Jeroen Mioch. Soots included a checkout rate off 54.55% and a highest finish off 122 in winning 6-4, going through to 9th Seed and 2020 International Darts Open winner Joe Cullen.
Brian Raman claimed a strong win over Ryan Meikle and the former WDF will be looking to turn a corner after struggling in recent times.
Defending champion Gerwyn Price will face European Championship winner Ross Smith in the 2nd Round, after Smudger claimed a 6-3 win over Paavo Myller of Finland. The English international included 5 180s to kick start his campaign in Riesa, as he prepares to face an inform Iceman who has only hit 1 average under 100 so far in the 2023 Euro Tour.
Former UK Open champion Danny Noppert will open the 2nd Round on Saturday from midday, as he faces 18 year old German youngster Liam Maendl-Lawrance at the SACHSENarena.
2023 International Darts Open:
Day 1 Results
First Round:
Alan Soutar 6-4 Jeroen Mioch
Steve Lennon 6-4 Andy Boulton
Mario Vandenbogaerde 6-4 Madars Razma
Brian Raman 6-2 Ryan Meikle
Brendan Dolan 6-3 Pascal Rupprecht
Jose Justicia 6-4 Ian White
Matt Campbell 6-4 Keegan Brown
Liam Maendl-Lawrance 6-4 Richie Burnett
Lee Evans 6-5 Kim Huybrechts
Nico Springer 6-4 Scott Williams
Mike de Decker 6-3 Callan Rydz
Andrew Gilding 6-4 Daryl Gurney
Florian Hempel 6-4 James Wilson
Ross Smith 6-3 Paavo Myller
Raymond van Barneveld 6-3 Stephen Burton
Gabriel Clemens 6-5 Simon Whitlock
Saturday Afternoon Order of Play
Second Round:
Danny Noppert v Liam Maendl-Lawrance
Damon Heta v Brendan Dolan
Jose de Sousa v Lee Evans
Rob Cross v Steve Lennon
Joe Cullen v Alan Soutar
Dave Chisnall v Andrew Gilding
Josh Rock v Florian Hempel
Nathan Aspinall v Mario Vandenbogaerde
—–Ends—–
Images: Jonas Hunold/PDC Europe
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