Czech Darts Open Sunday afternoon Round-up | Littler and Humphries successfully tackle latest tests as van Gerwen sees off Nijman

The Czech Darts Open title will be handed out at the end of this Sunday. Eight last-16 ties were set to be played in Prague with Luke Littler and Luke Humphries leading the charge for glory.

‘The Nuke’ had to wait until the end of the session to make his mark after a fine return to the European Tour yesterday against Niko Springer. It was not as good of a performance, but he was able to tick off five consecutive legs against Krzysztof Ratajski in a 6-3 win.

Littler broke straight off the bat, but Ratajski broke back and was averaging a lot more than his opponent in the early stages. The 19-year-old’s sloppiness on the outer ring proved to be a big blow as the Pole stormed into a 3-1 lead. Not to worry as 98 and 80 checkouts were converted and Littler was back level. From this point, he did not look back and won the remaining three legs with Ratajski unable to keep up the pressure. Double eight was nailed and Littler is still in the hunt for the title.

Humphries averaged around 15 points less than yesterday, but he had no problem in taking down Andrew Gilding 6-3 as the three-time Czech Darts Open champion continues his quest for another title in this event.

The former world champion was not reaching the heights he did yesterday, but Gilding failed to pose much of a threat. The first and only break came in the fourth leg of the match with Gilding squandering chances to hold with the door opened for Humphries who had the upper hand. There were no real flamboyant checkouts or splurges by either of the competitors as ‘Cool Hand Luke’ eased through to another quarter-final in Prague.

Ross Smith is in scintillating form. That is now a fifth final session at a European Tour event in the prior eight after dismantling the world number three Gian van Veen 6-3. Uncharacteristically, a 23& checkout rate would cost the world championship runner-up dearly as ‘Smudger’ produced the goods in Prague. The two-time European Tour winner found the breakthrough in the fifth leg to lead 3-2 before a 69 checkout, the highest in the match, moved him within one. He finished 36 with ease and is in an 18th quarter-final, the first time in Prague since 2022.

It was different fortunes for Michael van Gerwen who was so much better than his second round performance yesterday. He had to be against an impressive Wessel Nijman but produced the goods to come out on top 6-4. Van Gerwen struck first, but three games later he found himself behind as Nijman threatened to secure a big win. However, van Gerwen responded and won five of the next six times. He instantly got the match back on throw before blasting through with a fine display. A 102.02 average with six of his nine attempts on the outer ring converted sums up a classic van Gerwen display.

Danny Noppert produced an unlikely revival to take down Luke Woodhouse 6-4. It seemed routine for ‘Woody’ as he continued what has already been a productive couple days to go into a commanding 4-0 lead. A 121 checkout got Noppert into the contest as he limited the damage to 4-3. Woodhouse was still the favourite to prevail after moving one away from the match but ‘The Freeze’ was able to force a final leg decider. Noppert stole a march and took out 49 in two to complete a stunning comeback and make it two Dutchman in the quarter-finals.

There was little trouble for Gerwyn Price. Despite an 89 average, a distinctively poor Cameron Menzies was swept aside 6-1. ‘Cammy’ could not produce anything that would trouble the Welsh number one, averaging a measly 13 points less in a dreadful scoring showing. After a brace of holds, Price went on to win the next five legs in the match. A brilliant 124 checkout was the standout as he managed to get over the line in a comfortable manner.

Jonny Clayton made it two Welshman in the final session as he ended a positive weekend for Keane Barry in a 6-4 victory. It was a fairly standard match on paper with holds of throw by each player setting up what would be a tense and tantalising ending. Clayton, who is still yet to win a PDC ranking title in 2026, took out 42 to move 5-4 ahead and forced the Irishman to throw to stay in the match. Finally, ‘The Ferret’ was able to make some inroads on the Barry throw and this proved to be pivotal. He stormed ahead and booked his spot in the last-eight for the third time in Prague.

William O’Connor won out in an all-Irish battle against Josh Rock. It is a first quarter-final appearance in a European Tour event for over a year for ‘The Magpie’ after winning a last-leg decider to win 6-5. The first break of the match came after a drawn-out leg where Rock finished in the madhouse, but his advantage was eradicated almost instantly. The match went the distance as Rock missed a match dart on the bull. O’Connor, who has made two European Tour finals, pins tops and continues his brilliant weekend in Prague.