Austrian Darts Open Sees Rock Grab Graz Crown

Arise Josh Rock, the new Austrian Darts Open champion after an epic final victory over the rapidly emerging Kevin Doets to claim a second career Euro Tour crown.

It may have been a frustrating debut Premier League campaign for the Antrim Ace – magical nine-darter in Belfast aside, of course – but victory in Graz more than bandaged over any lingering Thursday night blues.

After a high-quality final day of action in Austria, it came down to just four men battling for the title – former World Champion Rob Cross, the latest addition to the Players Championship roll of honour Kevin Doets, and Northern Ireland’s World Cup-winning duo of Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney.

Hawkeye Kevin Doets, riding high from that maiden floor title in Hildesheim just a few days earlier, had already dispatched Ryan Joyce earlier in the day to once again reach the evening session.

Then, under the lights, he began in rampant fashion, smashing in a stunning 112.31 average on his way to another victory over Luke Woodhouse – who by this point, was probably sick of the sight of him. The Dutch-born, Swedish-resident thrower then overcame two-time European Champion Rob Cross to become the first man through to the final.

For the Emerald Isle man Rock, the route proved a little more dramatic. Earlier in the afternoon, he battled back from an early 2-0 deficit to edge past Niko Springer in a thrilling deciding leg. Onto the quarter-finals and, this time, it was Rocky who burst into a two-leg lead before eventually holding off a resurgent Cristo Reyes to set up an all-Northern Irish semi-final.

However, Superchin appeared to have run out of steam by that point and his compatriot comfortably eased through to the finale. With two of the brightest young talents in world darts both eyeing the prize, it quickly became a question of who would blink first.

As far as the fans inside the Stadthalle Graz were concerned, all they wanted was a memorable final packed with maximums and drama. Thankfully, that is precisely what they got.

It was Rock who made the sharper start, edging ahead from the opening leg and never allowing Hawkeye to nose in front. At the halfway stage, the Premier League star held a slender 5-3 advantage.

Yet, minutes later, that lead had completely evaporated with the scores locked at 6-6 – effectively turning the contest into a best-of-three shootout, with Doets holding the darts.Then came the pivotal moment that ultimately decided the title.

A huge break of throw from Rocky, followed by a clinical hold, shattered the Dutchman’s hopes and handed Josh not only a juicy £35,000 payday and another gleaming trophy, but also that famous green jacket for his spring wardrobe collection.

More importantly though, this felt like another statement victory from one of the sport’s most explosive young stars. Rock has long been tipped as a future major champion and, on the evidence of this week in Graz, it is becoming increasingly difficult to argue otherwise. Doets surely isn’t far behind in that conversation.

THIRD ROUND (Sunday Afternoon)

Kevin Doets 6-2 Ryan Joyce

Luke Woodhouse 6-1 James Wade

Andrew Gilding 6-5 Kim Huybrechts

Rob Cross 6-4 Michael van Gerwen

Cristo Reyes 6-3 Danny Noppert

Josh Rock 6-5 Niko Springer

Martin Schindler 6-2 Ross Smith

Daryl Gurney 6-3 Madars Razma

QUARTER-FINALS (Sunday Evening)

Kevin Doets 6-3 Luke Woodhouse

Rob Cross 6-1 Andrew Gilding