Cool Hand Set For Aubergenius Test

Reigning Czech Darts Open champion Luke Humphries will begin the defence of his title against Dirk van Duijvenbode, after the Dutchman tore past Cor Dekker with the kind of performance that makes you sit up and take notice.

Opening the show in Prague, The Aubergenius rattled in a ton-plus average and five maximums, brushing aside the Norwegian and leaving the crowd licking their lips at the prospect of a blockbuster clash with Cool Hand.

Elsewhere, Ryan Searle strolled past home-nation qualifier Filip Manak without ever having to shift out of second gear. Heavy Metal barely threatened the 80 mark in the averages, but it didn’t matter – Manak’s mid-70s effort meant the result was never in doubt.

Still, Searle may want to tune his guitar properly before facing Dave Chisnall, who tends to offer a little more resistance than a Czech hopeful with stage fright.The Prague crowd then got the real treat – a cracking contest in which Kevin Doets edged out World Cup winner Daryl Gurney.

Both men battered the treble 20 into submission, with seven maximums between them, but it was Hawkeye who held his nerve to line up a second-round showdown with Stephen Bunting. If Doets is to trouble The Bullet, he’ll need those sights locked in again.Meanwhile, Gian van Veen continues to look like a star in the making. A 103 average in dismissing Maik Kuivenhoven added to his growing reputation, and with two Euro Tour runner-up spots already under his belt, you sense the door to glory is about to fly off its hinges. Next up? Another fellow Dutchman – Danny Noppert – in what should be a belter.

Raymond van Barneveld, however, failed to roll back the years, producing a display which won’t impress his army as he was comfortably swept aside by Krzysztof Ratajski. The Polish Eagle now faces Rob Cross in round two.

Nathan Aspinall, without being anywhere near top gear, avoided becoming another headline casualty, cruising past local qualifier Jiri Brecha in a match where the Czech barely threatened an average of 80. Had The Asp lost this one, he’d only have had himself to blame – but with James Wade waiting in round two, he’ll know full well that a repeat performance won’t cut it.

Belgium’s number one, Mike De Decker reminded everyone exactly why he’s the reigning World Grand Prix champion, hammering in eight maximums in a ruthless dismantling of Richie Edhouse. It was power scoring of the highest order, and he’ll need every ounce of it with Michael van Gerwen looming large in the next round.

And to close the curtain on day one, Niko Springer kept his cool in a last-leg shootout to edge past Joe Cullen. The German youngster’s 75% checkout rate was a huge difference, earning him a crack at Gerwyn Price. The heavyweights enter the fray tomorrow – which means if day one was the warm-up act, we’re about to get the main show.

First Round (Evening Session)

Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-4 Cor Dekker

Ryan Searle 6-2 Filip ManakDaryl Gurney 4-6 Kevin DoetsGian van Veen 6-3 Maik Kuivenhoven

Raymond van Barneveld 1-6 Krzysztof RatajskiNathan Aspinall 6-0 Jiri Brejcha

Mike De Decker 6-3 Ritchie Edhouse

Joe Cullen 5-6 Niko Springer

Second Round – Saturday, September 6

Afternoon Session (13:00 / 12:00 BST)

(12) Ross Smith vs Andrew Gilding(16) Martin Schindler vs Madars Razma

(9) Damon Heta vs Wessel Nijman

(6) Chris Dobey vs Jermaine Wattimena

(15) Danny Noppert vs Gian Van Veen