International Darts Open Friday Afternoon Round-up | Gilding stunned by Brooks as Menzies and Sedlacek boost World Matchplay chances

In an afternoon session that heavily favoured the ProTour qualifiers in terms of results, Andrew Gilding was the surprise name to lose despite his recent incredible form. He came unstuck 6-4 against Bradley Brooks as the 2026 International Darts Open commenced.

Gilding is a man in form. He finally ended the wait for a Players Championship title in PC16 before reaching the final in PC18. His spot in the World Matchplay is basically sewn up, unlike other darters involved in this afternoon session, and he was looking to kick on. However, Brooks is a deadly opponent to face, and he proved it early on.

Brooks was heavily relying on tops in the premature stages of the darts match, and it paid off as he broke enroute to a 2-0 lead. He missed for the first time for a 101 checkout but cleaned up to double his advantage.

Gilding fought back, pinning double 16 after an exceptional setup shot and missed doubles by ‘Bam Bam’ to cut the gap to one leg. Brooks took out 82 to regain his two-leg cushion, but that was quickly extinguished by Gilding who got proceedings level. A definitive break went the way of Brooks who broke in 13-darts while holding his nerve at a crucial time. He got the job done and earns a first win on the Euro Tour for over a year.

The race for the World Matchplay is starting to heat up with a number of darters queuing up for a spot in the prestigious tournament in Blackpool. Cameron Menzies was one of these players here or there abouts in the ProTour Order of Merit. His hopes were almost dashed after missing 25 darts on the outer ring and surviving three match darts on the way to defeating Michael Unterbuchner 6-5.

Menzies missed six doubles in the first leg but was able to win it. He was on the end of a four-leg burst by Unterbuchner. Marred by missed doubles by the Scot, Unterbuchner fully capitalised and was in full command. Menzies fought back, showing his class with brilliant scoring and more clinical finishing. The match, and possibly his Matchplay hopes. Almost got away from him when Unterbuchner had three match darts. All 400 fans went very quiet as the German missed all three, allowing Menzies to force a last-leg decider which he comfortably won.

Karel Sedlacek was another player desperately needing a win to boost his chances of debuting in the Matchplay. He could have been under the cosh, but a rather sloppy Johan Engstrom was punished brutally in a comfortable 6-0 win. The Swede only had darts at double in two legs but was unable to find any of the targets. Sedlacek grew into the game and in the end was not challenged. He finished on double 13 for an 81 checkout to win six out of six legs against the ‘Sweet Ferret.’

Keane Barry’s very slim World Matchplay were almost hanging on a very deep run in Riesa. That was abolished instantly as Niels Zonneveld, who his basically already in, sealed a solid 6-2 win.

Zonneveld recently became the highest ranked player not to win a PDC ranking title after Luke Woodhouse ended his drought in Leicester. Coincidentally, it was a third Euro Tour meeting in 2026 between the pair. ‘Tripple Z’ was trying to make it a second win, and got the perfect start. Tops was found twice enroute to a 2-0 lead. He extended it to 4-0 as Barry continued to struggle on the outer ring. Barry mounted a feeble comeback, but a 100 outshot in two moved the Dutchman one away. He took out 98 with his second dart at double 19 to complete a very impressive performance.

The winner of Ryan Joyce and Jeffrey Sparidaans was supposed to have Gerwyn Price awaiting them in the second round. Fortunately for Joyce, who breezed to a 6-2 win, ‘The Iceman’ withdrew at the last minute. Joyce will play Christian Kist in the next round after what was an uncharacteristic performance. The doubling may not have been up to par with his high standards, but his scoring was sublime. Averaging over 99, Joyce was comfortable against the Dutchman.

Connor Scutt also eased over the finishing line against Finn Behrens. The German was playing in a third Euro Tour event but could only muster up a 72.58 average enroute to a 6-1 loss. Scutt did impress, taking out a trio of ton+ checkouts. He culminated with a 117 checkout ahead of a 110 on double 19 to complete a fine victory.

Madars Razma made light work of Eastern European qualifier Gyorgy Jehirszki 6-2. The Hungarian had played two prior matches on the European Tour, winning just one leg. He managed to add another two to that and in a confident manner. He had openings in the tie when Razma was not clinically pinning the double, but he would miss some of his chances. The Latvian number one showed his class, taking out a noticeable 112 checkout before taking out 94 to move 4-1 clear. He comfortably saw it out from there and will face the number two seed Michael van Gerwen in round two.

Ricardo Pietreczko’s dartitis woes continue as he attempts to battle it. In this case, it worked out very well in a fine doubling display to defeat Maik Kuivenhoven 6-2. Kuivenhoven took the lead with a 15-dart break before ‘Pikachu’ quickly got level. Aside missing double 16 for a 112 checkout, he was perfect on the outer ring enroute to a 4-2 lead. Kuivenhoven then misses the big number as Pietreczko moves within one of the match. Just four doubles were missed in a brave and resilient display in which he has been attempting to completely change his throw. He is rewarded with his perseverance with a spot in round two against Danny Noppert.