In-form Petersen sets up tie with Price after seeing off De Zwaan, Smith breezes past Tabern in all St Helens clash

The first day of action is complete in the German Darts Championship with Devon Petersen, Chris Dobey and Michael Smith all through to the second day in Hildesheim.

Petersen came into proceedings on top form after reaching the final in a PDC Autumn Series event and going on the cusp of winning his first ranking title. Despite the Coronavirus pandemic, it has been an excellent year for ‘The African Warrior’.

He continued that by seeing off Jeffrey de Zwaan in a 6-3 win with a 94.5 average and a high checkout of 130 in a major setback for ‘The Black Cobra’ who’s place in the World Grand Prix hangs in the balance especially with Jonny Clayton, Jeff Smith, Steve Lennon and William O’Connor all into Round Two. As well as Mervyn King today drawing level in the race to Coventry.

Next up for the South African is Gerwyn Price in a real tie of the day in many ways due to their clashes in both the Summer and Autumn Series, while Petersen didn’t hit many 180’s against De Zwaan, he always brings his top game against Price so it is definitely one to look forward to.

Speaking of World Grand Prix spots, Dobey has cemented his tonight taking a large step by going £1,000 ahead of De Zwaan, King and Kim Huybrechts who is not here this weekend. He defeated Scottish ace Ryan Murray in a 6-3 win.

He was joined in the next round by Smith who saw off Alan Tabern in an all St Helens affair and it was a 6-2 victory for ‘Bully Boy’ who hit a 95 average, two 180’s and a high checkout of 167 in an impressive win to kick off his campaign.

Due to his status as a non-seed, he will face Peter Wright tomorrow in another top clash on Saturday evening. Can he vanquish Snakebite?

Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)

Danny Noppert (102.57) 6-2 (92.89) Josh Payne

Steve Brown (86.08) 3-6 (91.05) Adam Hunt

Steve West (86.02) 1-6 (89.56) Gabriel Clemens

Jason Lowe (100.15) 4-6 (97.57) Nico Kurz

Reece Robinson (88.3) 2-6 (94.86) Max Hopp

Jeffrey de Zwaan (83.75) 3-6 (94.57) Devon Petersen

Chris Dobey (93.97) 6-3 (92.27) Ryan Murray

Michael Smith (95.63) 6-2 (82.73) Alan Tabern