The second day of the Slovak Darts Open delivered a series of stunning upsets, sending several top players packing. Most notably, rising star Tom Sykes eliminated two German hopefuls, Martin Schindler and Niko Springer, while Cameron Menzies produced a dazzling performance to knock out former World Champion Gerwyn Price. Other major casualties included Gian van Veen, Jonny Clayton, and Damon Heta. The tournament now heads into its thrilling final day, promising more high-stakes action as the remaining contenders battle for the coveted title and a significant prize fund.
Major Upsets Rock Bratislava
Sykes Stuns Schindler in Decider Thriller
Following his victory over Niko Springer, England’s Tom Sykes continued his giant-killing run by eliminating Germany’s number one, Martin Schindler. What many expected to be a straightforward win for Schindler turned into a nail-biting encounter. The match went the full distance, with Sykes punishing Schindler’s missed triples in the decisive leg to secure a 6-5 victory. This impressive performance marks Sykes’ successful debut on the European Tour, propelling him into the final day.
Price and Van Veen Eliminated
The evening session saw more high-profile exits. Top seed Gian van Veen succumbed to a formidable Rob Cross, who arrived in Bratislava with momentum after a recent Players Championship win. Cross capitalized on van Veen’s errors, particularly in the third leg, to secure a 6-3 win. Meanwhile, former World Champion Gerwyn Price was no match for a red-hot Cameron Menzies. Menzies delivered a truly sensational performance, averaging a remarkable 106 points and closing out the match 6-2 with clinical finishes, including a stunning 144 checkout.
Clayton and Heta Also Fall
Another seeded player, Jonny Clayton, was also knocked out, losing 6-5 to Ryan Joyce in a hard-fought decider. Despite a spectacular 170 checkout that turned the tide temporarily, Clayton couldn’t close it out. Damon Heta, who has struggled recently, had an off-day and was comfortably beaten 6-2 by Kevin Doets, who capitalized on Heta’s missed opportunities on the doubles.
Standout Performances and Close Calls
Van Gerwen Survives Scare, Bunting Battles Through
Three-time World Champion Michael van Gerwen had a tougher-than-expected path, eventually overcoming Krzysztof Ratajski 6-5. Van Gerwen initially dominated, taking a 4-1 lead, but Ratajski fought back to level the score. “Mighty Mike” then squandered five match darts before finally clinching the decider. Similarly, Stephen Bunting found himself in a precarious position against Niels Zonneveld. Bunting missed a staggering seven match darts across three legs before ultimately securing the break he needed in the decider for a 6-5 win.
De Decker Dominates, Aspinall Holds On
One of the most impressive displays of the afternoon came from Mike De Decker, who swept aside William O’Connor 6-2 with an outstanding 107+ average. The Belgian was clinical, taking command with an 11-dart break and maintaining a high level throughout. Nathan Aspinall also advanced, albeit with a slight wobble. After establishing a strong lead, he saw his Canadian opponent, Jim Long, claw back to 5-4 before “The Asp” sealed a 6-4 victory with a crucial 92 checkout.
Other Notable Victories
- Wessel Nijman (6-2 vs. Benjamin Pratnemer) – Nijman secured a win despite a stuttering performance, benefiting from Pratnemer’s missed doubles.
- Danny Noppert (6-2 vs. Madars Razma) – “The Freeze” won despite hitting only a few doubles, as Razma failed to capitalize on his chances.
- Jermaine Wattimena (6-3 vs. Dave Chisnall) – A match plagued by missed doubles from both players, but Wattimena emerged victorious.
- Chris Dobey (6-4 vs. Tyler Thorpe) – Not a masterclass, but Dobey did enough to progress.
- Ryan Searle (6-3 vs. Kim Huybrechts) – Searle capitalized on a weak performance from Huybrechts.
- Andrew Gilding (6-4 vs. Luke Woodhouse) – Gilding won a tight contest, punishing Woodhouse’s costly errors on the doubles.
- Ross Smith (6-5 vs. Joe Cullen) – Smith secured a decider win in the final match of the day.
The Road Ahead: Final Day Schedule
The Slovak Darts Open culminates on Sunday, June 21, 2026, with two action-packed sessions:
Afternoon Session (from 13:00 CEST) – Last 16:
- Rob Cross vs. Kevin Doets
- Ryan Searle vs. Nathan Aspinall
- Cameron Menzies vs. Tom Sykes
- Danny Noppert vs. Jermaine Wattimena
- Michael van Gerwen vs. Andrew Gilding
- Chris Dobey vs. Ross Smith
- Ryan Joyce vs. Mike De Decker
- Stephen Bunting vs. Wessel Nijman
Evening Session (from 19:00 CEST) – Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, & Final:
The winners from the Last 16 will battle it out through the quarter-finals and semi-finals, leading to the grand final where the 2026 Slovak Darts Open champion will be crowned.
Prize Money Breakdown
A total prize fund of £230,000 is up for grabs, with the winner taking home a substantial £35,000. Prize money distribution is as follows:
- Winner: £35,000
- Runner-Up: £15,000
- Semi-finals: £10,000
- Quarter-finals: £8,000
- Last 16: £5,000
- Second Round: £3,500 (Counts towards rankings only if the player wins their first match)
- First Round: £2,000 (Does not count towards rankings)
Where to Watch
Fans can catch all the live action from the Slovak Darts Open on DAZN and the DAZN Darts X Pluto TV Channel. These platforms offer comprehensive coverage of major darts tournaments.
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
