James Wade sets up second round showdown with Michael van Gerwen at German Darts Championship 2024 before Taylor thrashes Van Barneveld in Hildesheim

The first round of the 2024 German Darts Championship continues to rumble on this evening in Hildesheim and James Wade will be Michael van Gerwen's opponent in the second round after 'The Machine' prevented an all Dutch clash in the last 32 by beating Maik Kuivenhoven 6-3.

Kuivenhoven did not start the match well. He was broken twice in the first two legs by Wade, but managed to make up for one of those breaks by forcing one rebreak in the fourth leg with a 69 finish. The Dutchman then held his own leg to reduce the deficit to 2-3. Wade then held his own leg with a 14-darter, before Kuivenhoven also grabbed his own again. Wade then started the eighth leg with a 180 and produced a 134 finish to make it 5-3 with a 12-darter. Kuivenhoven then missed one arrow to make 4-5, after which Wade delivered the verdict with a 14-darter.

Elsewhere, Ritchie Edhouse proved too strong for Luke Woodhouse in a true nail-biter. 'The Madhouse' won 6-5 after a decisive leg from Woodhouse, who was unable to cash in on a 4-5 lead. Edhouse won the first two legs of the match, but then Woodhouse came back to 2-2 by throwing out 87 and 90. Edhouse then took another two-leg lead before Woodhouse turned a 4-2 deficit into a 4-5 lead. Woodhouse was then not out in five visits, allowing Edhouse to force a deciding leg via a 15-darter. In the 11th leg, Woodhouse again could not decide it in 15 arrows, which ensured Edhouse took the match with an 18-darter.

Also, Max Hopp starred on his comeback to the Euro Tour by beating Jose de Sousa 6-2. For 'The Maximiser', it was his first match at a Euro Tour tournament since April 2022. Hopp was soon in a seat for victory. Via an 11-darter and a 144 finish, he grabbed a 5-0 lead. De Sousa then secured two more legs before Hopp set the final score at 6-2 with a 96 check-out.

Dom Taylor will also be returning tomorrow for the second round. Capitalising on a slow start from Raymond van Barneveld, Taylor broke throw in the opening leg before holding in leg 2 to double his early advantage. As the Englishman continued to be far the better player, Taylor broke again in leg 3. Barney finally got on the board in leg 4. After Taylor moved one away from the win at 5-1, Van Barneveld kept himself alive with a brilliant 161. There was no fabulous comeback however as Taylor secured the 6-2 win.