Austrian Darts Open Saturday Evening Round-up | Van Gerwen and Wade impress as van Veen continues European Tour slump

The top two Dutch players in the world headlined the round two evening session at the Austrian Darts Open. While the number one seed faltered, Michael van Gerwen impressed with a dazzling performance, defeating Krzysztof Ratajski 6-3 while averaging over 103.

Van Gerwen has won this title four times, but none of them at the Stadthalle Graz. He was also coming off the back of a first ever defeat against Ratajski in Hildesheim five day ago in the Players Championship. The signs early on was that it could have been the same. Ratajski broke the throw before a 13-dart hold doubles his advantage. Following that, back came van Gerwen. He took out 137 with two double 20’s to break and get back level before taking out 75 in two on the way to snatching away the lead.

That slow start was a thing of the past. A 128 outshot on double 10 for a second 12-dart break continued the incredible spurt. The three-time world champion made it five legs in a row before missing a match dart. ‘The Polish Eagle’ prolonged the tie for a further leg, but a 180 followed by a stylish 121 on double eight saw ‘Mighty Mike’ sail through in fine fashion.

The same could not be said for Gian van Veen. For the third event running, van Veen is out at the second round stage as he continues to struggle for form. Madars Razma capitalised on this, winning 6-5 in a tense showdown.

It was a steady start by both players, showing their skill on the outer ring. Van Veen was enjoying the bottom left-hand corner of the board as he took the lead twice. Razma levelled up both times. This pattern continued as van Veen’s doubling remained at a high level, but the scoring was off it.

This would be punished ruthlessly. The world number three had 15 darts and was not down to a finish on his own throw. Razma was sat on 40 and broke the throw. ‘The Giant’ finally found his range on the treble 20 segment and finished on double 16 to break back. It went to a final leg decider where the PDC World Darts Championship finalist was off the pace. Razma had three match darts, missing them which gave van Veen a chance on 112. He failed to get to a double, and with his fifth match dart the Latvian got it sewn up on double two. Van Veen’s poor recent form continues, but it is delight for Razma who was jubilant after the win.

It was not just Mensur Suljovic, it was a passionate Austrian darts crowd against James Wade in Graz. Nevertheless, that was not enough to topple the experienced darter who averaged over 103 enroute to a 6-2 triumph. Wade came out of the blocks like a rocket. He broke the throw twice with 11-darters with a sketchy hold in between. He was averaging over 113 at this point, stunning the passionate Austrian fans.

Suljovic did get on the board with his ninth dart at a double in the leg before backing it up with a 111 checkout to break. A 120 followed from Wade, showing incredible bottle to resist the echo of booing in the Stadthalle Graz to go one away. An 11-darter wrapped proceedings up, but a sense of disappointment with ‘The Machine’ seven darts into the perfect leg. Not to worry for Wade who gets the job done.

Josh Rock was pumped up for his clash against Patrick Kovacs. He delivered a clinical performance to win 6-3. Rock was a form favourite in this clash, but the danger signs were there from Kovacs. He pinned the bull twice while on 132 but missed inside on double 16. Rock pinned tops before punishing another missed ton+ checkout by the Hungarian. He missed tops for a 110 with Rock taking out 107 on that target, reacting in a passionate manner.

Kovacs broke back after Rock missed his first dart of the match, but Rock responded instantly. Rock moved one away, before two legs getting it done with an 88 checkout in two, offering another fiery reaction.

Martin Schindler returns to Austria as the reigning champion. He commenced the title defence with a respectable 6-2 win amid a flurry of squandered doubles. Schindler kicked off on the front foot but a missed chance to back up the early break was pounced upon by Wright. He took out 107 on tops before a fancy 82 outshot utilising the bull boosted him ahead.

However, the two-time world champion was by far the second best on stage in Graz. Schindler was missing numerous efforts on the outer ring but was being afforded chances thanks to a slump in the Wright scoring game. Schindler was averaging around 10 points more than the Scot when he breezed into a 4-2 lead. The German number one continued this trend in the seventh leg, missing six more on the outer ring before double five was eventually found. He wrapped it up on double three, concluding another abject Wright showing but setting up a rematch of the final last year against Ross Smith.

Danny Noppert was not 100% on stage today, and that was showcased in a lethargic performance. He was good enough to defeat Alan Soutar 6-5 in a tight affair. After recovering from his marathon, the firefighter, who also trains guide dogs, showed his versatility around the board, venturing around the outer ring in the hunt for doubles. He missed a number of them, but a sluggish Noppert was way off the pace. This allowed Soutar to break and sail into a 3-1 lead. The first ton+ checkout of the match way 100 by Noppert to break back before getting level.

‘The Freeze’ stayed calm to get back level, but Soutar would go back ahead soon enough on double eight. The former UK Open continued to get level and in the end forced a last-leg decider. Soutar came over more annoying bounce-outs to leave 150 after nine. However, his love-hate relationship with double 18 and nine in this match became sour. Three missed match darts allowed Noppert to come to the oche and finish the task.

Daryl Gurney is back in the winning enclosure on the European Tour after some tough results in recent times. He took down Ian White 6-3, finishing the match in style.

Gurney kicked off with a break and doubled his lead. It took White seven darts at a double to get on the board but for the most part ‘Superchin’ was dominant. A 101 checkout was the highlight enroute to a 5-1 lead. A terrific 85 checkout on double five for ‘Diamond’ clinched one of the breaks back, but Gurney left the best until last. A sublime 157 checkout sealed a solid win and a return to winning ways on the Euro Tour.

The final match of the evening saw the inform Wessel Nijman take on Niko Springer. Against the form books, Springer showed his A-game in an unbelievable performance to thrash the Dutchman 6-0 in a darting masterclass.

Nijman’s first ever leg as a seed on the Euro Tour started badly. Springer exploded out of the blocks with a 130 checkout on double five for a 12-dart break. This was followed by a 13-dart hold and a 14-dart break, halting Nijman in his tracks. That double-break lead was backed up with a 15-darter. On 68, Springer was forced to go the bull and pinned it effortlessly. He was averaging almost 113 at this point. Nijman’s first dart at a double came for a 107 checkout. He missed, and Springer took out 102 to move one away. A messy last leg saw both players squander a load of doubles, but Springer eventually got it done on double two to confirm a huge win.