Friday evening session report – PVA Expo, PragueThe first evening of the 2026 Czech Darts Open produced one of the most significant results in recent European Tour history.
Beau Greaves became the first woman to win a match on the PDC European Tour, fighting back from 3-1 down to defeat Daryl Gurney 6-4 and book a second-round clash with two-time defending champion Luke Humphries.
Greaves averaged 93.54 to Gurney’s 89.54 in a composed and clinical performance that underlined her rapid rise.
Having already made history earlier this year by becoming the first woman to win a PDC ranking title and the first to hit a nine-darter on the Pro Tour, the Doncaster star added another landmark in Prague.
She will now face Cool Hand Luke on Saturday evening in what promises to be one of the most anticipated matches of the weekend.
Elsewhere, Luke Woodhouse produced the highest average of the session, posting a sparkling 104.30 in a 6-4 win over Connor Scutt. Woody looked sharp throughout and will meet Stephen Bunting in the last 32.There were notable casualties too.
Former world champion Rob Cross was sent packing by Keane Barry, who won 6-4 with an average of 89.73. Dirk van Duijvenbode also exited early, beaten 6-2 by Mario Vandenbogaerde in a low-scoring affair that still carried consequences — the Belgian now faces Michael van Gerwen on Saturday night.
Other results from the evening session:Krzysztof Ratajski 6-2 Adam GawlasMartin Schindler 6-4 Rob OwenDamon Heta 6-4 Karel SedláčekJeffrey de Graaf 6-3 Niels ZonneveldRatajski’s solid win sets up a meeting with Jermaine Wattimena, while de Graaf’s victory earns him a tough assignment against Gian van Veen. Schindler and Heta both advance to face seeded opposition on day two.
The evening closed with a clear sense that the Czech Darts Open is already delivering drama. Greaves’ historic win dominated the headlines, Woodhouse’s scoring caught the eye, and the early exits of Cross and van Duijvenbode have opened up parts of the draw.
Saturday brings the entrance of the big guns. Luke Littler returns to European Tour action against Niko Springer, Humphries faces Greaves, van Gerwen takes on Vandenbogaerde, and the likes of Gerwyn Price, Josh Rock, Jonny Clayton and Nathan Aspinall all join the fray.
With a £35,000 first prize and valuable ranking points on offer, the real business of the weekend is only just beginning.
A memorable night in Prague — one that will be remembered for Greaves’ breakthrough and the promise of more fireworks to come.
2026 ČEZ Czech Darts Open
Friday September 4
Round One
Afternoon Session
Cameron Menzies 6-1 Johan Engstrom
Andrew Gilding 6-3 David Rosi
Ryan Joyce 6-5 Kim Huybrechts
William O’Connor 6-1 Jiri Brejcha
Niko Springer 6-0 Martin Homola
Kevin Doets 6-2 Ricky Evans
Stephen Burton 6-3 Joe Cullen
Callan Rydz 6-1 Cristo Reyes
Evening Session
Luke Woodhouse 6-4 Connor Scutt
Krzysztof Ratajski 6-2 Adam Gawlas
Mario Vandenbogaerde 6-2 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Martin Schindler 6-4 Rob Owen
Beau Greaves 6-4 Daryl Gurney
Keane Barry 6-4 Rob Cross
Damon Heta 6-4 Karel Sedlacek
Jeffrey de Graaf 6-3 Niels Zonneveld
Saturday September 5
Round Two
Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)*
Jermaine Wattimena v Krzysztof Ratajski
Ryan Searle v William O’Connor
Danny Noppert v Kevin Doets
Gary Anderson v Cameron Menzies
Chris Dobey v Keane Barry
Ross Smith v Stephen Burton
Nathan Aspinall v Andrew Gilding
Wessel Nijman v Martin Schindler
Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)
Gian van Veen v Jeffrey de Graaf
Jonny Clayton v Damon Heta
Gerwyn Price v Callan Rydz
Luke Littler v Niko Springer
Luke Humphries v Beau Greaves
Michael van Gerwen v Mario Vandenbogaerde
Josh Rock v Ryan Joyce
Stephen Bunting v Luke Woodhouse
*Please note amendments to the schedule originally announced.
ENDS
Images: PDC Europe
