2020 Belgian Darts Championship preview and schedule: Saturday evening session

Some big names open their Belgian Darts Championship campaigns on Saturday evening.

A chance to get to the final day and start the 2020 European Tour in fine fettle is within grasp. But the seeds have been under the cosh thus far, and it's likely more top stars will be hassled in Hasselt. First among them is Nathan Aspinall; he comes into the Belgian Darts Championship having started the Premier League season brilliantly. But Steve Beaton will be out to build on a first round win over Kai Fan Leung, and you can never write off the Bronzed Adonis.

Gerwyn Price plots a course for a second title of the year and takes on Wesley Plaisier, before we see Andy Hamilton back in action. After a short hiatus, the former world finalist has made a decent return to PDC life. His Belgian Darts Championship started with an edgy win over Andy Boulton. Now Peter Wright, the world champion, stands in his way.

Dutch aces out to disappoint Belgian faithful

Following on from Wright is Michael van Gerwen, who is again on a crowd-quieting mission. Two days on from denying William O'Connor a famous Dublin triumph, Mighty Mike hopes to hush the Hasselt crowd, with Mike de Decker out to achieve the opposite.

Another Low Countries derby at the Belgian Darts Championship pits Jeffrey de Zwaan against Kim Huybrechts, in what should be a tantalising tie. Then another home hopeful in Dimitri van den Bergh clashes with a seed, as Jamie Hughes starts 2020 on the European Tour's top table.

Mensurmania hits Hasselt

Mensur Suljovic scored a European Tour success amidst an uninspiring 2019 season; it could prove the catalyst for a better 2020 if he can power through in Hasselt. The Gentle will have a tough time of his opening match, however. Ryan Searle has played well in recent months, and made short work of Darren Penhall on Friday.

In the last tie of the evening, Jonny Clayton does battle with Steve West. The winner of this one will take on either Suljovic or Searle when the Belgian Darts Championship wraps up tomorrow. It's an opportunity for West, who has seen his Order of Merit standing slip in recent times, to gain some positive momentum.

Click here for more information about the PDC European Tour, including the format, calendar and the prize fund breakdown.

Belgian Darts Championship schedule

Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 GMT)

Nathan Aspinall v Steve Beaton
Gerwyn Price v Wesley Plaisier
Peter Wright v Andy Hamilton
Michael van Gerwen v Mike de Decker
Jeffrey de Zwaan v Kim Huybrechts
Jamie Hughes v Dimitri van den Bergh
Mensur Suljovic v Ryan Searle
Jonny Clayton v Steve West