Dimitri van den Bergh first man into UK Open final, reeling off last five legs to defeat Damon Heta

Dimitri van den Bergh has become the first man to book their place in the final of the 2024 UK Open in Minehead, courtesy of an 11-6 win over Damon Heta.

In a very scrappy opening session, both players looked nervy. As they headed off stage though, it was Damon Heta who managed to edge himself in front at break, 3-2 averaging 91.09 compared to van den Bergh's lowly 80.63 average.

After the first two legs of the second session went with the darts, van den Bergh sparked into left with an 11-dart break of throw to get back to level terms at 4-4. With a 14-dart hold in the next, the Belgian actually moved in front. Heta then took the 10th leg meaning it was all-square at the second interval.

Van den Bergh nudged back in front with a brilliant 132 checkout in leg 11. With the pair continuing to exchange holds of throw for the next couple of legs, Heta missed a dart at the bull for 170 and a level game at 7-7, with van den Bergh royally punishing with an 87 finish for an 8-6 lead.

From there, the fight within Heta seemed to have withered as van den Bergh reeled off the next three legs without reply to book his place in the final.