The schedule has been released for the Friday evening session at the 2020 UK Open with some bumper ties set for all boards.
Starting off proceedings, all four ties on the
Schedule for the
UK Open Main Stage have the potential to be blockbuster with it all kicking off with Gerwyn Price against Danny Noppert. 'The Iceman' is in a rich vein of form with his winning streak only ending last night at the hands of Glen Durrant.
So is Danny Noppert though as he heads up a group of players including Gabriel Clemens who have been putting in brilliant displays on the Players Championship series as of late and he will hope that can continue against Price on the stage in Minehead this evening.
Then it is the turn of the in-form duo of Glen Durrant and Peter Wright with the Premier League leader set to take on the World Champion in a match that if both catch fire could be one of the best this year. One of the top picks out of this draw.
As is Michael van Gerwen and Nathan Aspinall. Mighty Mike at the UK Open has not been a happy hunting ground since the World Number One had to sit out the tournament in 2017 when he was defending it.
The last two years he has gone out in the third round and this round when the format was changed. A first round exit at the Masters is his record in TV tournaments this year (World Championship aside) and he will hope to correct that this weekend but has a seriously tough start.
Aspinall has beaten the World Number One this season in the Premier League where barring defeats to 'The Asp' and to Michael Smith, MVG has looked good at times but with his darts still up for debate, he could be there for the taking especially in the short format. A very interesting match up.
Then to end it all off is the evergreen Steve Beaton who will take on former UK Open champion Gary Anderson, who comes into this tournament off the back of losing in the Premier League on Thursday night. With the amount of money he is defending from this tournament alone this time, he needs a good run.
This match is significant as 'The Bronzed Adonis' won against Anderson last year at this same stage 10-8 and he will hope for the same this time. A battle of two true fans favourites awaits.
Over on Stage Two, ties include the Riley's Qualifier Rhys Hayden against 'The Dreammaker' Dimitri van den Bergh, as well as Dave Chisnall in action against William O'Connor.
A real fast paced clinic awaits following that with Vincent van der Voort against Stephen Bunting with it all ending with a match that in normal circumstances could have graced the main stage in Krzysztof Ratajski against Chris Dobey.
Then down to the multi board room with the likes of Michael Smith, Mensur Suljovic, Rob Cross, James Wade, Adrian Lewis and Daryl Gurney among others set to grace the outer stages meaning it may be as packed down there then in the main arena. Could there be any shocks?
2020 UK Open Schedule
Evening Session (1900) - Fourth Round
Main Stage
Gerwyn Price v Danny Noppert
Glen Durrant v Peter Wright
Michael van Gerwen v Nathan Aspinall
Gary Anderson v Steve Beaton
Stage Two
Rhys Hayden v Dimitri Van den Bergh
Dave Chisnall v William O’Connor
Vincent van der Voort v Stephen Bunting
Krzysztof Ratajski v Chris Dobey
Stage Three
Harry Ward v Ian White
Mensur Suljovic v Jamie Lewis
Ryan Joyce v Gabriel Clemens
Michael Smith v James Wilson
Stage Four
Kim Huybrechts v Ryan Searle
Richard North v Alan Tabern
Dirk van Duijvenbode v Jermaine Wattimena
Jeffrey de Zwaan v Simon Whitlock
Stage Five
Kyle McKinstry v Bradley Brooks
Rob Cross v Niels Zonneveld
Joe Cullen v Mervyn King
Adrian Lewis v Jason Lowe
Stage Six
William Borland v Jelle Klaasen
Joe Murnan v Ricky Evans
Simon Stevenson v Darren Webster
Jonny Clayton v Scott Waites
Stage Seven
Luke Humphries v Andy Boulton
Lewis Williams v Steve West
Matthew Edgar v Josh Payne
James Wade v John Henderson
Stage Eight
Keegan Brown v Daryl Gurney
Justin Pipe v Martin Schindler
Brendan Dolan v Jamie Hughes
Bye - Martin Atkins