The inaugural Slovak Darts Open kicked off with a bang on Friday, delivering a mix of surprising upsets and dominant performances. Germany’s sole representative, Niko Springer, faced an early exit, falling to a red-hot Tom Sykes. All local Slovakian players were eliminated, despite a valiant effort from Adrian Dudek against veteran Dave Chisnall, who narrowly escaped a major shock. Meanwhile, Madars Razma continued his winning streak against Dirk van Duijvenbode, solidifying his ‘bogey’ status, while darts giants Joe Cullen and Krzysztof Ratajski secured their spots in the next round with strong showings. Get ready for more drama as the seeded players enter the fray on Saturday!
The first round of the Slovak Darts Open 2026 delivered an action-packed day of darts, setting the stage for an exciting weekend. Fans witnessed unexpected results, impressive averages, and the elimination of all local hopes.
Early Exits and Surprising Upsets
The biggest headline of the day saw Germany’s Niko Springer, the only German player in action, **bow out in a 2-6 defeat to Tom Sykes**. Sykes delivered a phenomenal performance, boasting a 104 average, making his debut a truly memorable one. Springer, despite a respectable 96.79 average, couldn’t convert crucial doubles, allowing Sykes to capitalize with impressive finishes, including a 148 and a 103 checkout.
Another significant upset came in the clash between Dirk van Duijvenbode and Madars Razma. For the second time, **Razma emerged victorious against van Duijvenbode**, winning 6-4. “Razmatazz” is quickly becoming a formidable opponent for the Dutchman, creating a compelling rivalry.
Slovakian Hopes Dashed
Despite the home crowd’s enthusiasm, **all Slovakian players were eliminated** in the opening round. Gabriel Varaljay’s journey was ended by Cameron Menzies in a 6-1 defeat, and Host Nation Qualifier Jan Sliacky recorded the lowest average of the European Tour season (68.91) in his 6-1 loss to Niels Zonneveld.
However, Adrian Dudek provided a moment of suspense, pushing darts legend **Dave Chisnall to a deciding leg**. Chisnall, known as “Chizzy,” struggled with his finishing, allowing the Slovakian debutant to stay in the game. Though Dudek ultimately fell 5-6, his tenacious play captivated the audience.
Dominant Performances and Rising Stars
While some favorites stumbled, others delivered commanding displays:
- Joe Cullen showcased his precision, defeating Peter Kelemen 6-3 with an impressive 75% on his doubles.
- Krzysztof Ratajski, “The Polish Eagle,” soared past Cristo Reyes 6-2. Reyes struggled significantly on his doubles, hitting only 14%, which Ratajski exploited with superior scoring.
- Tom Sykes‘s debut was spectacular, not just beating Springer but doing so with a stellar 104 average.
- Young English talent Tyler Thorpe made a strong statement, recording a 103 average in his 6-2 victory over Karel Sedlacek, advancing to the second round for the first time.
- Kevin Doets also impressed with a 103 average, securing a 6-3 win against Owen Bates.
- Other notable winners included Kim Huybrechts (6-4 vs Keane Barry), Rob Cross (6-3 vs Juraj Holub), William O’Connor (6-3 vs Jeffrey De Graaf), and Ryan Joyce (6-3 vs Johan Engström).
Looking Ahead: Day Two – The Seeds Enter the Arena
Saturday promises even more excitement as the **16 seeded players join the tournament**. The action will be split across two sessions, starting at 13:00 CEST and 19:00 CEST.
Saturday’s Line-Up Highlights:
- Afternoon Session (from 13:00 CEST):
- Mike De Decker (14) – William O’Connor
- Damon Heta (16) – Kevin Doets
- Danny Noppert (5) – Madars Razma (a rematch of previous encounters?)
- Jermaine Wattimena (12) – Dave Chisnall
- Chris Dobey (7) – Tyler Thorpe (a test for the young talent)
- Ryan Searle (8) – Kim Huybrechts
- Evening Session (from 19:00 CEST):
- Nathan Aspinall (9) – Jim Long
- Martin Schindler (13) – Tom Sykes (Sykes looks to continue his giant-killing run!)
- Gerwyn Price (4) – Cameron Menzies
- Gian van Veen (1) – Rob Cross
- Michael van Gerwen (2) – Krzysztof Ratajski (a potential blockbuster clash!)
- Jonny Clayton (3) – Ryan Joyce
- Stephen Bunting (6) – Niels Zonneveld
- Ross Smith (10) – Joe Cullen
Prize Money Breakdown
The Slovak Darts Open offers a substantial prize fund, totaling **£230,000**. Players must win their opening match for their prize money to count towards the PDC Order of Merit, European Tour Order of Merit, and Pro Tour Order of Merit.
- Winner: £35,000
- Runner-Up: £15,000
- Semi-Finals: £10,000
- Quarter-Finals: £8,000
- Last 16: £5,000
- Last 32 (2nd Round): £3,500
- Last 64 (1st Round): £2,000
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
