International Darts Open Saturday Afternoon Round-up | Menzies stuns Rock, Cross and Heta boost Matchplay chances as Pietreczko comes through 36-minute marathon match
PDCSaturday, 23 May 2026 at 17:20
The second round action at the International Darts Open was contested
by a variety of top darters. No less than the Austrian Darts Open champion Josh
Rock. He took on Cameron Menzies who, among others, was fighting for a provisional
spot in the World Matchplay qualification position. Despite being 4-0 down, Menzies won six consecutive legs against 'Rocky' to unbelievably win 6-4.
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A 180 from Rock put him level with Menzies on 36. ‘Cammy’
missed, Rock did not. From there, he went on to cruise into a 4-0 lead with two
breaks of throw a definitive blow for Menzies. Rock’s scoring was very
impressive, going six into the perfect leg before breaking in 12. The Scot broke
back with his first darts at a double since the first leg. He would back this up
with three consecutive legs, overcoming missed doubles by Rock who had a dart
in every leg.
It did not stop there. Menzies took out 92 on double eight and took the lead for the first time before pinning tops in brilliant fashion to stun Rock and the whole of Riesa in a hugely unexpected turnaround. His World Matchplay hopes are boosted hugely.
It was also a brilliant performance by Rob Cross, who won six legs and pinned six doubles in a row in a
fantastic display picturing the 2018 world champion close to his absolute best
in a 6-2 win over a struggling Mike De Decker.
Former world champion Rob Cross is in the third round of the International Darts Open 2026
The Belgian has just won a single match on the European Tour
this year, and none in the second round. It looked to possibly change as he went
2-0 ahead before missing doubles to reach the halfway stage. From that point,
Cross barely gave him a sniff. ‘Voltage’ got into the tournament as a reserve,
and is making the most of it. The finishing was at a very high level, consistently
taking out a range of checkouts. At one point he was averaging over 106. An 80 finish
in three moved him one leg away, and he got the job done shortly after on a synonymous
double 18. He is now 18th on the ProTour Order of Merit, getting
himself back into the race to Blackpool.
Damon Heta showcased his darting brilliance once more after
a tricky time. He launched himself back into a World Matchplay qualifying spot
with a 6-2 win over Niels Zonneveld.
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After four routine holds, Heta exploded. He showcased form
that has not been on display for some time. He pinned 75% of his doubles all
around the board. The most notable one was on double 16 for a 68 checkout which
just crept in. He wiped his brow as he sailed 3-2 clear. He then ticked off the
final three legs for a much-needed clinical performance on a big stage.
WHAT HAS JUST HAPPENED?! 😳
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) May 23, 2026
Cameron Menzies completes an INCREDIBLE comeback from 4-0 down against Josh Rock...
The Scotsman rattles off six consecutive legs to stun Riesa and move on to Finals Day!
📺 https://t.co/YyBPPwoMK8#ET7 pic.twitter.com/VM4MQNbXgd
Smith downs Cullen as Pietreczko holds his nerve
Ross Smith continues flawless form on Saturdays on the
European Tour in 2026 prolong with a very fine showing against 2002 champion
Joe Cullen.
A 102 average, five 180’s and some fine finishing was enough
for ‘Smudger’ to confirm his place in tomorrow's action. The match began with
two holds, followed by two breaks. Cullen then re-took the lead before an
onslaught from Smith occurred. He sprinted away and thanks to some missed
chances by ‘The Rockstar’ got it completed with ease, finding a lot of joy in
double 16. This sets up a tie against a certain German.
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Ricardo Pietreczko was in another battle on stage, not just
with Danny Noppert but with his dartitis. He won both wars, fending off a
comeback attempt from Noppert to win 6-5 and get a well-earned cheer from the
crowd after a 36-minute marathon match.
Pietreczko’s dartitis troubles have been well-recorded. However,
he would deliver a brilliant four-leg burst that left the crowd cheering and
celebrating, especially after an incredible 142 on double 11 saw him take the
lead. At 5-2, anything but a simple
ending would occur. An 11 and 13-darter got Noppert on his way to level up
proceedings. However, that comeback was halted right at the end by a defiant
Pietreczko. After missing double 16 for a 104 checkout, he nailed double eight
to send the Riesa crowd into delirium.
PIKACHU EDGES PAST NOPPERT!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) May 23, 2026
Ricardo Pietreczko wins a 36-minute marathon match against Danny Noppert to advance to Finals Day!
What an effort from the German. 👏
📺 https://t.co/YyBPPwoMK8#ET7 pic.twitter.com/98cWTzaU6B
Dutch darters progress in Riesa
Jermaine Wattimena was very wasteful on the outer ring
against a very dangerous Bradley Brooks. In a dramatic last-leg decider, ‘Bam
Bam’ missed six match darts and Wattimena won 6-5.
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Brooks stormed ahead amid Wattimena missing a whole bunch of
doubles. The Dutchman would flip the script by winning four consecutive legs to
go 5-4 clear. Brooks broke back to force a last-leg decider. Brooks had a total
of six match darts in three goes, but all were squandered. Wattimena also
missed a handful but as thankful and relieved to get over the line.
Kevin Doets and Luke Woodhouse have played each other a
number of times. Following a familiar trend, Doets came out a relatively comfortable
winner. While not at his best, he kept ‘Woody’ at arm’s length until the end to
win 6-5.
20 days ago, the pair had never met on the oche. Now, they
were competing for the third time. After a brace of holds. Doets sailed into a
4-1 lead. At 5-2, Doets looked in command. However, a brace of 13-darters by ‘Woody’
got him back into the match. A 14-darter on double eight forced a last-leg
decider. While he had the momentum, ‘Hawkeye’ had the throw. Doets made the
most of this and sprinted clear before winning on double four.
Kevin Doets has now won three consecutive matches against Luke Woodhouse
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Wessel Nijman continued the positive Dutch success in Riesa
after a brilliant array of ton+ checkouts saw him take down William O’Connor
6-5.
After three breaks of throw to commence proceedings, O’Connor
managed to salvage an advantage against an abject Nijman. He woke up as the
match proceeded. A 107 checkout on double 16 was followed by a splendid 134
outshot. He forced a last-leg decider after O’Connor missed a match dart on the
bull. Double 16 again came in handy, this time for a scintillating 106 finish
to seal his spot in the third round.
DOETS BEATS WOODY AGAIN!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) May 23, 2026
For the third time in 19 days, Kevin Doets beats Luke Woodhouse!
The Dutchman led 4-1 but found himself in a last-leg decider, where he produced his best stuff to get over the line!
📺 https://t.co/YyBPPwoMK8#ET7 pic.twitter.com/TIeH8w692q
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- Doesn't matter what they do,it's all rubbish. Just scrap the whole thing,and get some more tournaments,open to everyone,with the same prize money. I haven't watched it this year,I know what they all look like!! It's an unjust,unfair 'league', promoted for money and TV and beer sales. Get rid of it now!rick6719-05-2026
- Phenomenal dartsmedinabello14-05-2026
- Good ladrick6712-05-2026
- The euro tour thrived before the names played them and will thrive without them. The one change the PDC need is to not protect the OOM top 16. If the form or world rankings drop, they need to qualify. While this would reward the players who regularly make the trip. Also add more prize money to the earlier rounds so you can't be out of pocket by attending but losing 1st round.BandB11-05-2026
- Another week, another suggestion to make Euro Tour qualification fairer. This one is: No substitutes if a pre-qualifier declines to play. Add an extra place in the Tour Card Holder qualifiers instead, so everyone is there on merit. Currently the races come with a safety net, with little consequence for sliding out of the ProTour Top 16 and extra chances for easy money to get back in.Scoobedybop11-05-2026
- Manby acts like a balanoposthitis. Hopes he quickly dissapears from the darting scene.TinyShrimp07-05-2026
- Probably a new Gurney ... hanging around 24_32 spot for the remainder of his darting career.TinyShrimp07-05-2026
- Sinner doesnt play ATP250 tournaments... It might be even better with less top players..TinyShrimp06-05-2026
- There's enough money and events, it's not really a problem. Gives mid card players a chance to perform and makes the overall field stronger.BandB06-05-2026
- Yes - this is what this site should be doing! Great analysis and a really interesting read. Hoping Cullen re-finds his best form.BandB06-05-2026
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