The first half of the Dutch Open Darts 2026 men’s singles tournament has concluded, delivering a mix of shocking upsets and dominant performances. Top players like Jenson Walker and Florian Hempel have secured their spots in the Last 64 on Sunday, while former WDF World Champion Andy Baetens was among several big names surprisingly eliminated early. This year’s new tournament format split the competition into two halves, with the first group now set for the decisive stages.
The Dutch Open Darts 2026 is off to a thrilling start, with the first segment of the men’s open singles tournament already delivering high drama and unexpected twists. As the dust settles on the initial rounds, a clear picture emerges: some of the sport’s biggest names are through, but not without significant challenges, and several top contenders have seen their campaigns cut short.
A Fresh Format for Fierce Competition
This year’s Dutch Open introduced an innovative format for its open singles tournament, dividing the extensive field into two distinct halves. The “upper half” of the draw completed all their matches first, setting the stage for the “lower half” to follow. This new structure aimed to streamline the competition and build anticipation for the knockout stages.
Day One Shocks: Big Names Tumble Out
The morning sessions kicked off with immediate fireworks, as one of the tournament’s biggest surprises unfolded within the first hour. Andy Baetens, the former WDF World Champion, suffered a stunning first-round exit, losing 3-1 to Robin Satter. This early departure sent shockwaves through the event, reminding everyone that no player is safe.
The upsets continued throughout the day, claiming more high-profile victims:
- Danny van Trijp was defeated 3-2 by Johann Brouwer.
- Martijn Kleermaker fell 3-1 to Danny Blom.
- Bradley van der Velden lost 3-2 to Stan van der Mooren.
These early exits underscore the depth of talent and the unpredictable nature of open darts tournaments, where any player can rise to the occasion.
Stars Shine Through: Advancing to the Last 64
While some favorites stumbled, many top players demonstrated their class and secured their places in Sunday’s Last 64. Their performances highlighted resilience and skill, promising an exciting conclusion to the tournament.
Among the standout qualifiers:
- Jenson Walker, the tournament’s number one seed, delivered a masterclass. He dropped only two legs across five matches and maintained an impressive average of over 90 in three of his five games, showcasing why he’s considered a top contender.
- Former PDC star Florian Hempel also navigated the tough early rounds, though not without a scare. He famously survived a match dart in his Last 256 encounter against Maikel Verberk, demonstrating nerves of steel under pressure.
Other prominent players who successfully advanced include Ron Meulenkamp, Jitse van der Wal, Martijn Dragt, Paul Krohne, and Mike van Duivenbode, all set to return to the oche on Sunday.
The Road Ahead: Sunday’s Last 64 Matchups
With the first half of the draw complete, the stage is set for an electrifying Sunday. Here are the confirmed pairings for the Last 64, featuring a mix of seeded players and dark horses:
- Jenson Walker vs Jasper Ruinemans
- Jurgen Nuijten vs Nigel van Milligen
- Marcel Otter vs Sven Groen
- Ruud de Kock vs Patrick van den Boogaard
- Johann Brouwer vs Mike van Leeuwen
- Sander Schoot vs Roy Bevelander
- Mike van Duivenbode vs Tim Middelbos
- Stan Willems vs Danny Blom
- Michael van Dijk vs Jan Dirk de Groot
- Patrick Dekker vs Gino Vos
- Nick van Huet vs Michel Hoffer
- Maikel Nüchter vs Kristiaan de Boer
- Shane de Jong vs Tonny Veenhof
- Bas Smits vs Niek Tuik
- Michael Busscher vs Mark Scholte
- Martijn Dragt vs Berry Pater
- Paul Krohne vs Erwin Vossen
- Maarten Dirk Woord vs Pascal Devroey
- Jasper van Doorn vs Joeri Huysmans
- Martijn van Hal vs Joost van den Berg
- Niek Lemmens vs Ron Meulenkamp
- Florian Hempel vs Jitse van der Wal
- Jonny Nijs vs Patrick Maat
- Lee Wijck vs Roemer Mooijman
- Vinay Ramnath vs Nick Crouwel
- Heine Uuldriks vs Robert de Roode
- Marco Fonk vs Robert van der Heijden
- Bertram Waninge vs Ricardo Ulrich
- Shane Stoop vs Nick Bouman
- Winston van de Graaf vs Simon Boiten
- Stefan Post vs Luke van der Kwast
- Ian Rinia vs Dylan van Dijk
The Dutch Open Darts 2026 promises more gripping encounters as these players battle it out for a spot in the later stages of this prestigious tournament. Stay tuned for more updates as the competition unfolds!
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
