The third annual staging of the Poland Darts Masters is set to deliver fireworks, with the opening round draw throwing up some tantalising ties between PDC elite and the cream of Eastern European opposition. The action kicks off at 6pm GMT (7pm local time), with the familiar World Series format in play: a race to six legs to begin with.
Reigning champion Luke Littler – played it once, won it once – begins his title defence against Czech number one Karel Sedláček in what promises to be a lively affair. Top seed Stephen Bunting will be looking to bounce back from an early exit in New York as he takes on Tytus Kanik, the first Polish player to achieve professional status, in front of a passionate home crowd.
The night’s curtain-raiser sees Newcastle Ace, Chris Dobey, still hunting for his first World Series crown, face Hungarian qualifier György Jehirszki. Michael van Gerwen, fresh off returning to competitive action after his New York appearance – and now sporting more black than green, faces off against Pero Ljubić – aka The Croatian Knight.
Perhaps the pick of the ties sees Polish golden boy Krzysztof Ratajski return home for a showdown with Jonny Clayton. That one has all the makings of a cracker. Gerwyn Price will meet young prospect Sebastian Białecki, a raw talent still finding his feet on the main circuit. Playing on home soil, The Bolt will be hoping to shock The Iceman.
Elsewhere, Rob Cross takes on five-time Polish World Cup representative Krzysztof Kciuk, while Nathan Aspinall faces an intriguing clash with Radek Szagański, Poland’s second-highest ranked player – and a former bus driver who certainly knows how to handle pressure.
As with all World Series events, expect upsets, drama, and plenty of moments to undoubtably remember.
First Round Line-Up (seedings in brackets)
Chris Dobey v György Jehirszki
(2) Gerwyn Price v Sebastian Białecki
(3) Rob Cross v Krzysztof Kciuk
Michael van Gerwen v Pero Ljubić
(1) Stephen Bunting v Tytus Kanik
Luke Littler v Karel Sedláček
Jonny Clayton v Krzysztof Ratajski
(4) Nathan Aspinall v Radek Szagański
—–ENDS—–
Images: PDC Europe
