The International Darts Open in Riesa saw a series of stunning upsets on its final day, with German hopes completely dashed as both defending champion Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko were eliminated in the Last 16. Unexpected victories, dramatic comebacks, and stellar performances from stars like Michael van Gerwen and Gian van Veen set the stage for an electrifying final session.
German Hopes Crushed: Defending Champion and “Pikachu” Fall
The home crowd’s dreams of a German triumph at the International Darts Open evaporated early as both of Germany’s remaining top players faced painful exits.
Martin Schindler’s Title Defence Ends
Martin Schindler’s journey to defend his title in Riesa concluded abruptly in the Last 16. It was a familiar and frustrating scenario for Schindler: despite strong scoring, his crucial finishing doubles repeatedly let him down. His opponent, Cameron Menzies, was clinical and capitalized on every opportunity, securing a decisive 6-2 victory.
- Schindler started well with a 14-dart leg.
- However, three missed doubles allowed Menzies to break in 13 darts and follow up with a 102 checkout.
- Menzies maintained pressure, punishing two more missed checkouts from Schindler to take a commanding 5-2 lead, eventually closing out the match.
Ricardo Pietreczko’s Strong Performance Not Enough
Ricardo Pietreczko, affectionately known as “Pikachu,” delivered what was, by average, his best performance of the weekend. However, even his solid play couldn’t generate enough pressure on Ross Smith, leading to a 4-6 defeat.
- The first six legs of the match went with the throw, with both players holding their own.
- Pietreczko missed a crucial break chance, while Smith showed his class with an 80 checkout.
- As the match progressed, Smith found another gear, securing his fifth hold in 18 darts before delivering a perfectly timed 168 setup shot to break Pietreczko in 16 darts and seal the victory.
Dramatic Showdowns and Impressive Victories
The afternoon session was packed with high-quality darts, featuring incredible comebacks and dominant displays from some of the sport’s biggest names.
Gian van Veen Dominates Opening Match
Gian van Veen kicked off the final day with a sensational performance, setting a high bar for the rest of the players. Boasting an average over 103 points and converting more than half of his double attempts, “The Giant” earned a well-deserved 6-2 victory over fellow Dutchman Kevin Doets, who was a touch unlucky.
- Doets took the first leg, but van Veen quickly found his stride.
- Van Veen secured the first break after Doets missed a 164 checkout.
- Despite Doets immediately breaking back, van Veen remained relentless, taking the final two legs in 14 and 11 darts to close out the match.
Michael van Gerwen Shows Renewed Form
Michael van Gerwen demonstrated significant improvement compared to his previous matches, dispatching Damon Heta with a confident 6-3 win. Both players initially grappled with their finishing, but Van Gerwen was the first to regain his composure, landing a crucial 120 checkout to secure a vital break.
- Van Gerwen extended his lead in 12 darts before Heta fought back with a 108 checkout and a 13-dart rebreak.
- However, Heta missed an opportunity to level the score, allowing “MvG” to seize control and deliver an emphatic 11-darter.
- This lead held until the end, with an 81 checkout sealing his spot in the next round.
James Wade’s Incredible Comeback
In perhaps the most thrilling match of the afternoon, James Wade staged a remarkable comeback against a strong Wessel Nijman. Nijman initially looked set for victory, leading 3-0 and later 5-3. However, uncertainty on his doubles, including crucial missed match darts, opened the door for “The Machine” to turn the tide.
- Nijman started brilliantly with 13 and 15-dart legs, securing a double break.
- But Nijman then faltered on his own doubles, allowing Wade to respond with a 14-darter and a 104 checkout.
- The momentum shifted dramatically when Nijman missed three match darts, enabling Wade to level the match at 5-5 with a 14-darter.
- In the deciding leg, Wade, despite having only 47 left after three visits, capitalized on Nijman’s struggles to hit big triples, completing an astonishing 15-dart turnaround to win the match.
Other Noteworthy Results:
- Ryan Searle delivered a clinical performance, dismantling Kim Huybrechts with a commanding 6-1 victory. Searle broke early and quickly established a 3-0 lead, sealing the win with strong finishing.
- Rob Cross continued his impressive run, showcasing a near-century average and outstanding double percentage to defeat Stephen Bunting 6-2. Bunting struggled, allowing the 2018 World Champion to dominate.
- Ryan Joyce survived an absolute thriller against Jermaine Wattimena, who incredibly missed six match darts. Joyce, nicknamed “Relentless,” ultimately clinched the decider after both players faltered on their finishing, winning 6-5.
Looking Ahead: The Evening Session Quarter-Finals
The stage is now set for an exciting evening session, featuring the Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals, and the grand Final of the International Darts Open 2026.
Quarter-Final Matchups:
- Gian van Veen vs. Ryan Searle
- Rob Cross vs. Ryan Joyce
- Michael van Gerwen vs. Ross Smith
- James Wade vs. Cameron Menzies
Prize Money Structure:
A total of £230,000 is on offer for this tournament, with the winner taking home a substantial £35,000. It’s important to note that only players who win their opening match will have their prize money count towards the PDC Order of Merit, European Tour Order of Merit, and Pro Tour Order of Merit. Losing in the first round still means prize money is paid out, but it doesn’t contribute to these crucial rankings.
- Winner: £35,000
- Runner-Up: £15,000
- Semi-Finalists: £10,000
- Quarter-Finalists: £8,000
- Last 16: £5,000
- Last 32: £3,500
- Last 64: £2,000
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
