Czech Darts Open Shockwave: Top Seeds Crash Out, Schindler’s Heartbreak!
The Czech Darts Open delivered a day of major upsets as five seeded players, including big names like Gary Anderson and Nathan Aspinall, were eliminated in the second round. German number one Martin Schindler also faced a heartbreaking defeat, missing a crucial match dart in a thrilling decider. Meanwhile, Budapest winner Ross Smith advanced confidently to the final day, setting the stage for an unpredictable conclusion.
Schindler’s Dramatic Exit: A Decider of Missed Opportunities
In a rescheduled afternoon session clash, Germany’s top player, Martin Schindler, suffered a nail-biting 5-6 loss to Wessel Nijman in a match that went down to the wire. Schindler started strong with a 12-dart leg, but Nijman fought back, securing the first break on Double 16. Schindler responded with a stunning 104 finish and a 3-2 lead. The drama escalated as both players traded blows, with Schindler hitting a 170 finish and Nijman calmly converting on Double 8 to level at 4-4.
Schindler then executed his third high finish of the match with a 127 checkout, putting him on the brink of victory. However, with 68 remaining, he missed a crucial match dart on Double 16. Nijman had also missed three darts at Double 18 earlier in the leg, highlighting the tension. In the deciding leg, Schindler had another chance with 78 remaining, but his second dart veered into the single 5 instead of the single 20, costing him a shot at Double 20. Nijman seized the opportunity, closing out the match on his second attempt on Double 20.
Five Seeded Players Sent Packing
The second round proved to be a graveyard for many established names. A total of five seeded players were unexpectedly knocked out, shaking up the tournament bracket:
- Gary Anderson (11): The “Flying Scotsman,” fresh off his Budapest success, delivered a disappointing performance, losing 3-6 to fellow Scotsman Cameron Menzies. Menzies started with six perfect darts and secured an early break, ultimately closing out the match on Double 4 after Anderson missed several chances.
- Nathan Aspinall (15): Battling illness, “The Asp” was comfortably defeated 2-6 by Andrew Gilding. Gilding dominated the early legs, and despite Aspinall having darts at doubles in multiple legs, he couldn’t convert, allowing Gilding to seal the win with a 122 bull finish.
- Chris Dobey (12): “Hollywood” fell 4-6 to Keane Barry. Barry built an early lead, and despite Dobey’s efforts to break back, he struggled on his doubles towards the end, giving Barry a 17-dart leg to advance.
- Jermaine Wattimena (16): The Dutchman was an early casualty, losing 2-6 to a strong Krzysztof Ratajski. Ratajski took the first three legs and maintained his composure, including a 122 finish, to secure a comfortable victory.
- Ryan Searle (10): “Heavy Metal” also saw his tournament end abruptly, losing 4-6 to William O’Connor. Searle had an early break and led 4-3, but after missing three darts for a 5-3 lead, O’Connor won four consecutive legs to claim the win.
Ross Smith Dominates, Noppert and Barry Advance
While many seeds struggled, some delivered commanding performances:
- Ross Smith (14): Last weekend’s Budapest finalist showed no signs of slowing down, cruising to a 6-1 victory over Stephen Burton. “Smudger” stormed to a 5-0 lead, including a 110 finish, and despite a minor wobble on match darts, he confidently secured his spot in the final day.
- Danny Noppert (9): “The Freeze” was in formidable form, dispatching Kevin Doets 6-1 with an impressive 101 average. Noppert’s performance included a spectacular 10-dart leg where both players hit two maximums, showcasing high-level darts.
- Keane Barry: Building on his recent good form, Barry secured a 6-4 win over seeded Chris Dobey, putting him one step closer to the quarter-finals after reaching the Last 16 in Budapest.
Evening Session Preview
The afternoon session concluded with several high-profile exits, setting the stage for an exciting evening. The second round will be completed, featuring more top players battling for a spot in the next stage. Fans can look forward to seeing:
- Gian van Veen vs. Jeffrey De Graaf
- Jonny Clayton vs. Damon Heta
- Gerwyn Price vs. Callan Rydz
- Luke Littler vs. Niko Springer
- Luke Humphries vs. Beau Greaves
- Michael van Gerwen vs. Mario Vandenbogaerde
- Josh Rock vs. Ryan Joyce
- Stephen Bunting vs. Luke Woodhouse
Understanding the Prize Money Structure
The Czech Darts Open offers a total prize fund of £230,000, with the winner taking home £35,000. It’s important for players to understand how prize money impacts their ranking:
- All 32 pre-qualified players (via PDC Order of Merit and Pro Tour Order of Merit) must win their opening match for their prize money to count towards the ranking lists.
- If a seeded player loses their first match, they still receive the prize money, but it does not contribute to the PDC Order of Merit, European Tour Order of Merit, or Pro Tour Order of Merit. This rule adds significant pressure to perform in the early stages.
Here’s a breakdown of the prize money:
- Winner: £35,000
- Runner-Up: £15,000
- Semi-Finals: £10,000
- Quarter-Finals: £8,000
- Last 16: £5,000
- Last 32 (2nd Round): £3,500 (Counts for ranking if first match won)
- Last 64 (1st Round): £2,000 (Does not count for ranking for seeded players)
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
