Wessel Nijman has once again proven he’s a force to be reckoned with, securing his eighth ranking title of 2026 at the Slovak Darts Open. The 25-year-old Dutchman delivered a dominant performance, defeating Rob Cross in the final with a stunning 103.80 average. This victory not only marks his second PDC European Tour title of the year but also places him in an elite group of players – alongside legends like Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen – to achieve eight or more ProTour titles in a single season, all before July. His unstoppable form sets the stage for a potentially historic year in darts.
Nijman Dominates in Bratislava Final
The Incheba Expo in Bratislava witnessed a masterclass from Wessel Nijman, who carried significant momentum into the tournament after a recent Players Championship win. He faced fellow Players Championship winner Rob Cross in the final, but it was Nijman who emerged victorious, becoming the first player to win multiple PDC European Tour events this year.
Nijman’s performance against Cross was exceptional. He quickly established a commanding lead, hitting two ton-plus finishes and four consecutive legs to go 5-2 up. Despite Rob Cross battling valiantly and averaging over 102, Nijman’s dominance was relentless. He sealed his victory with a 12-dart leg and a clinical 74 combination finish, ending the match with an impressive 103.80 average.
A Season for the History Books
This triumph is more than just another title for Nijman; it’s a significant milestone. He has now joined an exclusive club, following in the footsteps of darts giants:
- Phil Taylor
- Michael van Gerwen
- Peter Wright
By claiming his eighth ProTour title in one season, and achieving this feat by June, Nijman is on the brink of what could be a truly historic season in professional darts.
Nijman’s Journey to Glory
Nijman’s path to the final was marked by a series of powerful displays:
- Opening Round: A dominant 6-2 victory over Benjamin Pratnemer.
- Second Round: A comprehensive 6-1 demolition of Stephen Bunting, missing only one dart at a double throughout the match.
- Third Round: Another impressive performance, including a spectacular 170 checkout, as he defeated Mike De Decker 6-3 with a 104.5 average.
- Semi-Final: A tense encounter against Ross Smith, where Nijman nearly let a 5-2 lead slip. However, he showed immense composure, taking out 341 in just six darts in the deciding leg to secure his spot in the final.
“A Game of Stamina”: Nijman’s Post-Match Reflections
Overwhelmed by his success, Nijman shared his feelings:
“I cannot put this into words. It’s so amazing… Sometimes you have those days where you feel this can be a winning day because you feel so confident and today was a day like that.”
He acknowledged the challenging conditions and the high level of competition:
“I’m really happy I did it. It was so warm up here, so it was a game of stamina, but whenever you get control you’re probably going to win the game, and that’s what I did.”
Nijman also highlighted the strength of modern darts, even without some top names present:
“This tournament just shows the level of darts at the moment… Even without [Luke] Littler and [Luke] Humphries, the level is still high and that’s what the PDC is like now.”
Looking ahead, Nijman expressed excitement for future major tournaments:
“I’m really looking forward to the World Matchplay. Last year I was there and I felt this was the best tournament there is. I hope I can do some damage there and show the darts I’ve been producing here, and we’ll just see what happens.”
This victory propels Wessel Nijman to 14th place on the PDC Order of Merit, reflecting his incredible season so far.
Cross’s Strong Showing Despite Runner-Up Finish
While Rob Cross ultimately fell to Nijman’s superior form, his performance at the Slovak Darts Open was commendable. The 35-year-old former World Champion secured a second £15,000 paycheque of the week, following his recent Players Championship 22 triumph. This was his first European Tour final in over two years.
Cross’s route to the final included:
- A narrow win over Host Nation qualifier Juraj Holub.
- A deserved 6-3 victory against Gian van Veen in the second round.
- A dramatic comeback from 5-4 down to edge Kevin Doets in a last-leg decider.
- Breaking a 10-match losing streak against Nathan Aspinall with a convincing 6-2 triumph and a 102.75 average in the quarter-finals.
- An efficient 7-2 win over European Tour debutant Tom Sykes in the semi-finals.
Despite missing only two darts at double in the final, such was Nijman’s dominance that Cross could not secure his third European Tour title.
Cross remained positive after the final:
“Wessel played great there… I don’t enjoy the heat, but the crowd this weekend have been fantastic. It wasn’t my weekend, but things are heading in the right direction.”
He sees his current form as a stepping stone:
“I wouldn’t say I’m at my peak at the minute, but I’m starting to get there. I won a title in the week, another final today, and this was good practice for the World Matchplay! It’s just the beginning again, and I’m sure I have got many more majors left in me.”
Other Notable Performances
Tom Sykes’ Impressive Debut
European Tour debutant Tom Sykes made a tremendous impact, reaching the semi-finals and earning £10,000. “The Castleford Tiger” secured his PDC Tour Card only in January and showed his potential by convincingly winning four consecutive matches, including a 103.64 average against Niko Springer in his very first match, and defeating seasoned players like Martin Schindler, Cameron Menzies, and Jermaine Wattimena.
Ross Smith’s Consistent Form
Ross Smith continued his strong 2026 season with his third European Tour semi-final of the year. His impressive run included victories over Joe Cullen, Chris Dobey, and Andrew Gilding, highlighted by a stunning 104.57 average against Dobey in the third round.
Mike De Decker’s Resurgence
Mike De Decker recorded his first win on the PDC European Tour since February in remarkable style, averaging over 107 in his second-round match. He continued his resurgence with a 6-5 third-round win over Ryan Joyce before his loss to Nijman.
Nathan Aspinall’s Strong Recovery
Nathan Aspinall, who had expressed concerns about his throw earlier, dispelled those worries with a dominant 6-0 whitewash win over Ryan Searle during Sunday’s afternoon session.
What’s Next in the Darts Calendar?
The PDC ProTour continues with Players Championship 23-24 from July 6-7. These crucial two days of darts will finalize the field for the upcoming World Matchplay.
The European Tour then returns shortly after, from July 10-12, as Leverkusen, Germany, hosts the 2026 Elten Safety Shoes European Darts Open (ET10).
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
