Belgian Darts Open Friday afternoon Round-Up | No handshake before as Mickey Mansell eases past Michael Smith after previous war of words on social media

The opening session of the Belgian Darts Open is in the books in Wieze highlighted by Mickey Mansell prevailing over Michael Smith in a tasty tie for many reasons.

Mansell and Smith were embroiled in a war of words after the latter called him a horrible player after their match in a European Tour qualifier last month and they were drawn together this weekend on the stage. It was 'Clonoe Cyclone' though who blew him away at the Belgian Darts Open.

He won through 6-4 with a 94 average with Smith averaging nearly a ton but his doubling was less clinical as Mansell found his way into Round Two.

Mansell opened up pinning 161 for a 1-0 lead and a hold of throw against Smith. Double 17 for Smith and 56 for Mansell who went 2-1 up holding throw.

Mansell broke with a 110 checkout and went 3-1 up. One away from a 4-1 lead with the throw. Mansell went 4-1 up but Smith stopped the rot. He pinned 81 for a 12-darter to go 4-2 down.

Mansell hit double five to move 5-2 up and despite Smith holding, he was now one away from the win at 5-3 down. A win he sealed with an 80 checkout. They didn't shake hands before hand and while they did after it was Mansell who won the war here.

One of the biggest ties other than Smith and Mansell was Rapid v Shaggy or as it could be known the battle of the darting showman with both know to strut their proverbial stuff on the oche as Scott Williams faced Ricky Evans.

But it went the way of Evans who punished an absolute shocker on the outer ring from Williams who later admitted on his Instagram that he has as has been mooted but then denied suffering from dartitis but he saw positives despite hitting 2/12. Evans won through 6-2 with a 94.5 average, three 180's and 60% on the outer ring so more of a polished display his end.

Ryan Meikle perhaps also was the real star of the session. It may have been an 85 average but 'The Barber' had to contend with Francois Schweyen literally capitulating on stage.

The Clock seemed to run out of batteries as Schweyen seemingly finally had the first European Tour win he had been craving in the palm of his hand only to fall apart at the crunch. To the credit of the Belgian crowd too as was duly noted, they didn't boo or whistle Meikle and applauded him while getting behind their man when it was right to do so which perhaps is a lesson amid all the issues last week in Germany in Bunting v Springer.

But amid the less fraught atmosphere, Schweyen bid a hasty retreat off the stage after his golden chance to win a first European Tour game ended in a 6-4 defeat after he had been 4-1 up. Meikle winning five legs on the spin amid a myriad of missed doubles to seal it.

Jani Haavisto was making his European Tour return after more than a decade away deciding to pick up his darts again after a lengthy stint away and he has been largely successful on the Nordic and Baltic circuit.

Haavisto though was a banana skin but also facing a man in real form in Niels Zonneveld. Part of a real growing contingent of players who continue to jump their metaphorical ceiling, he won through 6-4 here to reach Saturday. He hit a 101 average and four 180's in a really superb display.

Ryan Joyce also is through after completing a hard fought win over Adam Gawlas winning 6-4. Luke Woodhouse completed a routine win over Pascal Devroey.

Woodhouse saw off Devroey with a 97 average, four 180's and a high checkout of 161. While Cameron Menzies and William O'Connor also completed the line-up from the afternoon session.

Menzies set up a clash with Ross Smith after cruising past Sietse Lap 6-1 pulling away after losing the opening leg hitting 50% on the outer ring in a solid display. While O'Connor faced off against debutant Tyler Thorpe winning through 6-1 and will now face off against Martin Schindler. He averaged 95.97 and punished poor doubling from Thorpe to show his guile and experience and book his spot in the next round.