Day two of the Poland Darts Open delivered an exhilarating mix of stunning performances, surprising upsets, and nail-biting finishes. The standout moment undoubtedly belonged to teenage sensation Luke Littler, who silenced any doubters with an astonishing 113.84 average and a flawless display on the doubles. But he wasn’t alone in grabbing headlines; we saw dominant whitewashes, players defying the odds, and established stars battling through tough encounters, all setting the stage for an electrifying conclusion to the tournament.
Afternoon Session: Upsets and Dominance
The afternoon session kicked off with an unexpected result as Martin Schindler struggled, averaging just 86.98 in a 6-4 loss to Croatia’s Boris Krcmar. Schindler appeared out of rhythm, frequently missing his targets, a weakness Krcmar expertly exploited.
Next, Chris Dobey delivered the first ‘whitewash’ of the day, dismantling Connor Scutt in a 6-0 victory. While Dobey’s average of 94.93 wasn’t extraordinary, Scutt simply couldn’t find his footing, allowing Dobey to cruise through.
Nathan Aspinall secured a 6-3 win against Darryl Pilgrim, but it was a peculiar match. Aspinall, known as ‘The Asp’, was uncharacteristically outscored on average by his opponent. However, his rock-solid finishing proved decisive, preventing Pilgrim from ever truly threatening his lead.
One of the most dramatic contests saw Jermaine Wattimena emerge victorious 6-5 over Danny Noppert in a Dutch derby. Despite Noppert posting a remarkable 103.11 average, Wattimena’s clinical 50% checkout rate and precise finishing, including a crucial 46 checkout, allowed him to snatch the win in a thrilling decider.
History was made when Wessel Nijman extended his incredible undefeated streak against Gary Anderson, beating the Scottish legend for the fifth time in a row. Nijman’s sensational form continued with an average just over 103 and a brilliant 124 checkout, securing a dominant 6-2 victory.
The afternoon brought another whitewash, this time from Cameron Menzies, who stunned veteran James Wade 6-0. Despite recent concerns about finger sensation, Menzies produced a sensational performance, giving ‘The Machine’ almost no opportunities to score or finish.
Ross Smith then announced himself as a major title contender, sweeping aside Daryl Gurney 6-1. ‘Smudger’ was in extraordinary form, hitting three maximum 180s and coming within six darts of a perfect leg. His explosive scoring has truly made him one of the favourites. The final match of the afternoon saw Spain’s Cristo Reyes defeat Ryan Searle 6-2, thanks to an exceptional 66.67% finishing ratio.
Evening Session: Littler Shines Brightest
The evening session began with a much-needed return to form for Josh Rock. ‘Rocky’, who has had a challenging period since the Premier League’s start, delivered a strong performance, beating William O’Connor 6-1 with a 102.98 average.
Next, a refreshed Adam Gawlas put up a valiant fight against Jonny Clayton, the Premier League champion. Although Clayton ultimately won, Gawlas showed improved consistency and control, suggesting a positive shift in his game. Clayton looked sharp, setting himself up for a high-stakes clash.
That clash will be against Michael Smith, who overcame his long-time rival Joe Cullen 6-5. ‘Bully Boy’ initially struggled with his finishing, allowing Cullen chances, but Smith found his rhythm, unleashing his trademark power scoring with seven maximum 180s to secure a hard-fought win.
Then came the moment everyone was waiting for: Luke Littler’s incredible display. The teenage prodigy absolutely dominated Mike De Decker, winning 6-1 with an astonishing 113.84 average. What made this performance truly special was his perfect record on the doubles, hitting every single one he attempted. Even De Decker, who averaged over 100 himself, had virtually no chance against ‘The Nuke’s’ precision, proving that his recent form concerns are a thing of the past. This sets up a mouth-watering encounter with Ross Smith.
Following such a high-calibre match, Luke Woodhouse and Callan Rydz took to the stage. While not reaching Littler’s heights, Woodhouse showed remarkable mental resilience. Trailing 4-2, he dug deep to win 6-4, demonstrating significant progress in his composure under pressure.
The return of local hero Krzysztof Ratajski created an electric atmosphere. The ‘Polish Eagle’ faced a fast-starting Luke Humphries, who quickly took a 4-1 lead. Ratajski, fueled by the home crowd’s energy, fought back valiantly to level the score. However, in the deciding leg, Humphries, known as ‘Cool Hand’, regained his composure to seal a 6-5 victory.
Another Premier League player seeking form, Stephen Bunting, secured a 6-4 win over Niels Zonneveld in a match where neither player hit a high average. Bunting’s experience ultimately saw him through.
The final game of the night pitted the methodical Andrew Gilding against the rapid Gian van Veen. Despite the 6-5 scoreline and some missed opportunities for ‘Goldfinger’, Van Veen’s superior scoring power proved too much, securing his place in the next round.
Day two has certainly delivered an unforgettable spectacle, promising even more excitement as the Poland Darts Open progresses.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
