Day two of the Austrian Darts Open was packed with breathtaking moments and stunning upsets. The afternoon session exploded with excitement as José Reyes achieved a rare nine-dart finish, a perfect leg that ignited the crowd. Later, the evening delivered a massive shock when Franz Springer dominated tournament favorite Wessel Nijman with a crushing 6-0 victory, completely shaking up the competition. Beyond these headlines, top players fought through tense matches, with several big names facing unexpected defeats, making it a truly unforgettable day for darts enthusiasts.
Unforgettable Afternoon: Reyes’ Nine-Darter Steals the Show
The afternoon session at the Austrian Darts Open was set ablaze by a truly remarkable performance from Spain’s José Reyes. He secured a superb 6-4 victory over Australian number one, Damon Heta, averaging an impressive 101.89. But the highlight that will be etched in history was his perfect nine-dart finish – a feat achieved by hitting three treble 20s, then three more treble 20s, followed by treble 20, treble 19, and a double 12 to complete the leg in the minimum number of throws. This incredible moment, a defining highlight of the European Tour season, instantly transformed the atmosphere in the arena.
Reyes displayed fearless darts, hitting six maximums (180s) and sealing legs with a stunning 141 checkout. Despite Heta’s solid average of 95.67, Reyes maintained control after taking a 5-3 lead, ultimately closing out a memorable win.
Afternoon Session Highlights: Upsets and Strong Performances
The afternoon was filled with competitive matches and a hint of the unpredictability that would define the entire day:
- Andrew Gilding kicked things off with a strong 6-4 win against Jermaine Wattimena, boasting a 100.92 average and clinical finishing on his doubles.
- Ryan Joyce defeated Mike De Decker 6-3, while Rob Cross overcame William O’Connor by the same scoreline, even though the Irishman averaged nearly 100.
- One of the session’s surprises came from Kevin Doets, who delivered a convincing 6-2 victory over the highly-rated Ryan Searle.
- Ross Smith showcased his class with a 102.02 average in a comfortable 6-3 win against Niels Zonneveld.
- Luke Woodhouse swept aside Robert Owen 6-1, also achieving a ton-plus average.
- The afternoon concluded with a nail-biting finish as Kim Huybrechts edged out Chris Dobey 6-5 in a deciding leg, marking one of the day’s tightest contests.
Evening Session Shocks: Springer’s Dominance and Top Seeds Tumble
Springer’s Stunner: A Tournament Favorite Crumbles
Just hours after Reyes’ brilliance, the evening session delivered an even bigger statement of intent. German qualifier Franz Springer produced a sensational performance, completely dismantling Wessel Nijman with a ruthless 6-0 whitewash. This result sent shockwaves through the tournament, significantly reshaping the outlook for the final day.
Nijman, who arrived in Austria as one of the favorites for the title after a phenomenal run of form saw him top the ProTour Order of Merit, suffered one of his heaviest defeats in recent memory. Springer was utterly dominant from start to finish, averaging 100.20, hitting two maximums, and executing two impressive ton-plus finishes, including a brilliant 130 checkout. Nijman, on the other hand, failed to win a single leg and missed all six of his attempts at doubles, enduring a crushing defeat.
More Evening Drama: Giants Falter and Favorites Survive
The evening session was packed with drama, including several close calls and significant upsets:
- Madars Razma Knocks Out World Number Three: In a deciding-leg thriller, Madars Razma eliminated world number three Gian van Veen. Van Veen seemed poised for victory at 5-4, but Razma fought back to force a decider and then broke throw in the final leg, completing a major upset. The Latvian stayed composed, punishing the Dutchman’s missed opportunities at crucial moments.
- Danny Noppert Survives Scare: Danny Noppert endured a tense 6-5 victory over Alan Soutar. The Scot pushed Noppert to the brink, even missing match darts in the deciding leg. Noppert ultimately escaped a nervy contest where both players struggled for fluency on their doubles, though the tension never dropped.
- Martin Schindler Deepens Peter Wright’s Woes: Martin Schindler delivered a commanding 6-2 victory over two-time world champion Peter Wright, further highlighting Wright’s difficult season. Wright, who had expressed determination to salvage his campaign and qualify for the World Matchplay, managed only two successful doubles from eleven attempts and averaged a mere 82.42, intensifying concerns about his form.
- Michael van Gerwen Avoids Upset: Michael van Gerwen steered clear of becoming another casualty, defeating Krzysztof Ratajski 6-3 in one of the evening’s highest-quality matches. Despite an early 2-0 deficit, Van Gerwen recovered strongly, averaging 103.41 and hitting three ton-plus checkouts. Ratajski also played well, averaging just under 100, but Van Gerwen’s superior finishing proved decisive.
- Other Notable Evening Wins:
- James Wade impressed with a clinical 6-2 victory over local favorite Mensur Suljovic, averaging 103.20 and capitalizing on the Austrian’s missed doubles.
- Josh Rock secured his spot in Sunday’s afternoon session with a controlled 6-3 win against Patrik Kovacs.
- Daryl Gurney defeated Ian White by the same 6-3 scoreline.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
