PDC European Darts Open 2019 schedule: Friday afternoon session

It seems like only yesterday that James Wade scored a surprise European Championship win. The Machine will be in action tomorrow afternoon. Before that, the first round of the European Darts Open needs to be played. Normally it would be considered rude to say before a dart is thrown that the tournament will be getting off to a slow start. This time, it's literally the case. Justin Pipe will be making sure the tempo doesn't go through the roof too early. He plays Ryan Meikle, who has already had some success on the PDC Development Tour in 2019.

Next on the agenda is Pavel Jirkal. The Czech ace missed out on a Tour Card by the narrowest of margins at European Q-School. The European Tour provides a saving grace however, and if he can win his first round match, an out-of-sorts Darren Webster awaits him. William Borland will have other ideas. Matthew Dennant made one European Tour appearance last season, losing to Terry Jenkins in the first round of the International Darts Open. It doesn't get any easier for him in Leverkusen. Madars Razma, the Nordic & Baltic qualifier, performed well at the UK Open. The winner gets a crack at Mensur Suljovic on Saturday. Fabian Herz will be hoping to win the hearts of the German faithful as he plays Scott Taylor, before former European Tour hoodoo patient zero Ross Smith plays fellow Englishman Ricky Williams.

Adam Hunt will be aiming for a second round tie against Jonny Clayton. First he must see off Dutch debutant Danny van Trijp. After some very positive Development Tour outings, Ted Evetts is ready for a European outing. He meets Martin Atkins (Leeds). Let me be clear. This isn't Martin Atkins (Wigan). This is Martin Atkins (Leeds). Maybe a good run here would help the Yorkshireman become THE Martin Atkins.
Finally, we see the return of Niedersachen's favourite son, Jyhan Artut. For a while he was the big name in German darts. The last few years haven't been too kind to the Eagle, however. He's back on the big stage for the first time since 2016, and he meets Dutchman Wesley Plaisier, with the winner playing against Wade in round two.
Click here to check out the PDC European Tour 2019 tournament centre.

Justin Pipe v Ryan Meikle
Pavel Jirkal v William Borland
Matthew Dennant v Madars Razma
Fabian Herz v Scott Taylor
Ross Smith v Ricky Williams
Adam Hunt v Danny van Trijp
Ted Evetts v Martin Atkins (Leeds)
Wesley Plaisier v Jyhan Artut