The Austrian Darts Open delivered a weekend of unexpected drama as two of the Netherlands’ most prominent darts stars, Michael van Gerwen and Danny Noppert, were eliminated before reaching the quarter-finals. Van Gerwen, a tournament favourite, fell to a determined Rob Cross in a closely contested battle, while an unwell Danny Noppert was overcome by an in-form Cristo Reyes, who had already made headlines with a stunning nine-darter earlier in the event. These surprising results have sent shockwaves through the darts world, highlighting the fierce competition on the European Tour.
Shock Exits for Dutch Darts Giants in Graz
The Austrian Darts Open proved to be a challenging ground for Dutch darts sensation Michael van Gerwen and his compatriot Danny Noppert. Both players, usually strong contenders, found themselves out of the tournament earlier than anticipated, much to the surprise of fans.
Michael van Gerwen’s Battle Against Rob Cross
Michael van Gerwen, known for his explosive power scoring, had shown glimpses of his best form in his opening match. On Saturday evening, he impressively dispatched Krzysztof Ratajski with a 6-3 victory, boasting three 100+ finishes and an average over 100. Expectations were high for his Sunday afternoon clash against England’s Rob Cross, a player intensely fighting for a spot in the prestigious World Matchplay.
The match against Cross was a tight affair from the outset:
- Cross secured an early break in the third leg, but Van Gerwen immediately broke back in the very next leg, leveling the score.
- The momentum shifted back and forth, with legs going with the darts until the score reached 4-4.
- Key moments included an 11-darter from Cross and a clinical 70-finish, showcasing both players’ quality under pressure.
- In the crucial ninth leg, ‘Voltage’ Cross landed a significant 68-finish to break Van Gerwen for a second time, putting him on the brink of victory.
- Van Gerwen had one final chance to stay in the match, but he agonisingly missed double 14 on a 142-checkout attempt.
- Cross remained composed, sealing the 6-4 win on double 1, securing a valuable victory for his World Matchplay qualification campaign.
Match Statistics:
- Rob Cross: Average 93.38 / Double Percentage 40%
- Michael van Gerwen: Average 94.02 / Double Percentage 44.4%
This big win for Cross demonstrates his determination and ability to perform under pressure, potentially marking a turning point in his season.
Danny Noppert’s Uphill Battle Against Cristo Reyes
Danny Noppert’s journey in Graz was also cut short, as he faced a formidable opponent in Spain’s Cristo Reyes. Noppert had a narrow escape in his Saturday evening match, surviving three match darts from Alan Soutar. The Dutchman later admitted he wasn’t feeling entirely fit, which may have impacted his performance.
In contrast, Cristo Reyes arrived in the last 16 in scintillating form. On Saturday afternoon, ‘The Spartan’ had impressively beaten Damon Heta 6-4, a match that notably included a sensational nine-dart finish from Reyes. This incredible feat highlighted his sharp focus and precision.
The match between Noppert and Reyes unfolded as follows:
- Noppert secured the first break of the match in the third leg with a well-executed 66-finish.
- However, Reyes immediately responded, breaking back with a 78-finish to level the score at 2-2.
- The next few legs went with the darts, giving the Spaniard a 4-3 lead.
- In the eighth leg, Reyes executed a crucial 15-darter to break Noppert for a second time, reaching match point.
- ‘The Spartan’ then sealed his victory in style, closing out the match and securing his place in the quarter-finals of a European Tour event for the first time since 2017.
Match Statistics:
- Cristo Reyes: Average 92.24 / Double Percentage 50%
- Danny Noppert: Average 90.51 / Double Percentage 30%
Reyes’s return to the European Tour quarter-finals, especially after his nine-darter, marks a significant moment in his career and underscores his resurgence in the sport.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
