Gian van Veen impresses to reach third round at Hungarian Darts Trophy 2024; Ryan Searle and Ricardo Pietreczko also through

Gian van Veen averaged over 100 to secure a spot in the third round of the 2024 Hungarian Darts Trophy. Elsewhere, both Ryan Searle and Ricardo Pietreczko were also victorious.

Van Veen, who was directly admitted to the second round, faced Keane Barry. The Irishman had beaten Darren Beveridge 6-2 in the first round. The dart player from Poedeorijen beat Barry 6-4.

After the first four legs of the match went with the darts, Van Veen again held his own leg with an 11-darter. GVV The Giant then doubled the lead by breaking Barry with a 14-darter. Van Veen then made it 5-2 with a 16-darter. Barry briefly kept himself in the match by throwing a 14-darter in leg eight, then saw Van Veen miss five matchdarts in the ninth leg. Via double 4 Barry closed the lead to 5-4. Dynamite' then started the tenth leg himself and was only 186 after four visits. Van Veen got off to a great start with two 180s and took the win with a 12-darter.

Elsewhere, Niels Zonneveld fell just short of providing a shock against Ricardo Pietreczko. The German took a 4-2 lead against 'Triple Z' by throwing a 106 finish in the sixth leg. The Dutchman responded well by breaking Pietreczko right back with an 81 finish and then made it 4-4 with a 12 check-out. Both players then held their own leg, requiring an 11th and deciding leg. Pietreczko was allowed to start that leg and used this advantage by ending the match with a 16-darter.

Ryan Searle also secured a spot in the third round of the Euro Tour tournament in Budapest. 'Heavy Metal' faced Alberto Bezjian, who won his opening match on Friday with the lowest winning average ever on the Euro Tour. Bezjian, however, was no match for Searle, who clinched the victory 6-1.