Aspinall, Clayton and Van Barneveld ease through to 2nd round at Czech Darts Open 2024 with dominant wins

Nathan Aspinall, Jonny Clayton and Raymond van Barneveld have safely qualified for the last 32 at the 2024 Czech Darts Open in Prague this Friday evening. 'Barney' especially impressed, defeating Daryl Gurney 6-0.

A poor first leg from both players went to Van Barneveld with a 20-darter. Gurney could not raise his level after that, 'Barney' could. With a 114 finish and a 14-darter, the 57-year-old from the Netherlands put the score at 3-0. Van Barneveld then hit the double 4 for 4-0 and then decided the match with two 13-darters, ending his average at a neat 98. On Saturday night, Van Barneveld will face Gerwyn Price in the last 32.

Dimitri van den Bergh though has missed out on qualification for the upcoming European Championship. 'The Dreammaker' was required to make it to the third round at the Czech Darts Open, but it quickly went wrong in the first round as opponent Jonny Clayton get off to a good start with an 11-darter. Van den Bergh countered with a 72 finish, but then saw Clayton create a hole with two 14-darters and a 16-darter.

Van den Bergh missed three darts on double 18 in the sixth leg, after which Clayton made it 5-1 with an 88 finish. Van den Bergh then took his second leg, before Clayton sealed the match with a 15-darter. In the second round 'The Ferret' will face Stephen Bunting.

Elsewhere, Nathan Aspinall did good business with a view to qualifying for the European Championship. The Asp had a somewhat lucky draw with Czech qualifier Michal Smejda and defeated his opponent 6-1. In the next round Aspinall will now meet his stablemate, teenage sensation Luke Littler, who has already taken overall victory at two Euro Tours this year.