Daryl Gurney returned to the big stage in winning fashion to begin his challenge at the Elten Safety Shoes Baltic Sea Darts Open on Friday.
Gurney partnered Josh Rock to victory in the BetVictor World Cup of Darts last month in Germany, emotionally claiming the title by defeating Wales in the final.
His first stage appearance since that triumph came as the Winamax European Tour returned to action at Kiel’s Wunderino Arena, where he took on Martin Lukeman.
The 2024 Grand Slam of Darts finalist led 3-1 early on, but Gurney produced a brace of 12-darters to move ahead before sealing victory with an 11-dart kill.
“It was all about getting this first win and I’m happy with the performance and glad to be playing tomorrow,” said Gurney, who now plays Dave Chisnall.
“Coming away from the World Cup I’ve put myself under a bit of pressure, and I’m glad I got away with it. I started off very slowly and was 3-1 down so I’m very pleased to come through that game.”
World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker proved too clinical for Mensur Suljovic, as a 6-2 success over the Austrian moves him through to face Danny Noppert.
“I’m glad to go through,” said the Belgian. “Hopefully I can get my A-game tomorrow and for the rest of the tournament.”
Dirk van Duijvenbode produced the performance of the first round, averaging over 105 as he came from 2-1 down to defeat Ryan Meikle 6-2, sealing victory with a ten-darter.
Cameron Menzies missed double 12 for a perfect leg during his comeback win over Yorick Hofkens, the 18-year-old German who led 2-0, 4-2 and 5-3 before the Scot prevailed in a decider.
Jermaine Wattimena averaged 103 in a high-quality clash with Callan Rydz, who averaged 100 in reply but paid for six missed doubles as the Dutchman moved through to face Martin Schindler.
World Youth Champion Gian van Veen impressed with another 103 average to whitewash Sweden’s Johan Engstrom, and he now meets Jonny Clayton in a tasty second round tie.
Wessel Nijman landed a key 150 finish as he saw off German qualifier Martin Kramer 6-3, and the young Dutchman will now play Damon Heta in round two.
Justin Hood enjoyed a memorable European Tour debut, landing an 11-darter and a 12-darter as he came from 2-0 down to defeat Joe Cullen 6-3, setting up a second round tie with Gurney’s World Cup-winning partner Rock.
Kim Huybrechts will meet Ross Smith in the last 32 after defeating Ian White 6-3, with the Belgian ace finishing 50 percent of his darts at a double and reeling off four legs without reply.
Krysztof Ratajski now meets Gary Anderson after easing past Richard Veenstra with a 6-2 win, while Luke Woodhouse overcame German youngster Liam Maendl-Lawrance to set up a tie with James Wade.
Mickey Mansell reeled off four straight legs to come from 3-2 down for victory against Polish debutant Miroslaw Grudziecki, and the left-hander now plays world number one Luke Humphries on Saturday.
Andy Baetens defied a spirited fightback from Raymond van Barneveld to take a 6-4 win from their clash, after the five-time World Champion landed a 140 finish in hitting back from 2-0 down to level after eight legs.
Ireland’s William O’Connor now faces in-form Gerwyn Price after edging out Poland’s Tytus Kanik in a tight clash where all 11 legs were won with the advantage of throw.
German prospect Niko Springer progressed to a clash with Stephen Bunting despite 16 missed darts at a double in his 6-2 defeat of qualifier Kevin Troppmann.
Ricardo Pietreczko was another German star to progress, as he saw off Poland’s emerging Sebastian Bialecki 6-2 with the aid of four unanswered legs, and he now plays Nathan Aspinall.
Saturday’s second round sees Friday’s winners take on the 16 seeded stars, who are headlined by world number one Luke Humphries, last weekend’s Poland Darts Masters winner Price and reigning Baltic Sea Darts Open champion Rob Cross.
Live coverage from the Elten Safety Shoes Baltic Sea Darts Open will be streamed on DAZN for viewers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and through the DAZN Darts channel on Pluto TV.
Coverage will also be shown on PDCTV (excluding Germany, Austria and Switzerland) and through bookmakers’ worldwide.
Elten Safety Shoes Baltic Sea Darts Open
Friday July 11
First Round
Afternoon Session
Mickey Mansell 6-3 Miroslaw Grudziecki
Luke Woodhouse 6-2 Liam Maendl-Lawrance
Cameron Menzies 6-5 Yorick Hofkens
Gian van Veen 6-0 Johan Engstrom
Jermaine Wattimena 6-1 Callan Rydz
Krzysztof Ratajski 6-2 Richard Veenstra
Wessel Nijman 6-3 Martin Kramer
Kim Huybrechts 6-3 Ian White
Evening Session
Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-2 Ryan Meikle
Niko Springer 6-2 Kevin Troppmann
William O’Connor 6-5 Tytus Kanik
Andy Baetens 6-4 Raymond van Barneveld
Daryl Gurney 6-4 Martin Lukeman
Mike De Decker 6-2 Mensur Suljovic
Ricardo Pietreczko 6-2 Sebastian Bialecki
Justin Hood 6-3 Joe Cullen
Saturday July 12
Second Round
Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)
Ryan Searle v Cameron Menzies
Damon Heta v Wessel Nijman
Gary Anderson v Krzysztof Ratajski
Danny Noppert v Mike De Decker
Dave Chisnall v Daryl Gurney
Ross Smith v Kim Huybrechts
Jonny Clayton v Gian van Veen
James Wade v Luke Woodhouse
* Please note updated order of matches
Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)
Gerwyn Price v William O’Connor
Rob Cross v Andy Baetens
Stephen Bunting v Niko Springer
Luke Humphries v Mickey Mansell
Josh Rock v Justin Hood
Martin Schindler v Jermaine Wattimena
Nathan Aspinall v Ricardo Pietreczko
Chris Dobey v Dirk van Duijvenbode
—–ENDS—–
Images: Sebastian Doppstadt/PDC Europe
