Michael Smith's woes continue as Martin Schindler storms through in style at International Darts Open
PDC
The opening day of the International Darts Open is complete as Martin Schindler has continued his superb run on home soil while Michael Smith's woes continue to blight him.
Schindler headlined on home soil to begin his title defence taking down Thomas Lovely who played his part but was well beaten 6-2 with a 102.68 average from 'The Wall'.
He pinned five maximums to cap off a classy all-round display. He is already into the Final Day with Rob Cross deciding to withdraw late meaning there was no time for a bye to be installed.
Thibault Tricole will return on Saturday as Michael Smith's woes continued. 'The French Touch' became the first player from his country to seal a win on the European Tour in a moment that meant a lot for him but in reality, it was yet another stalling for Michael Smith.
| Michael Smith | VS | Thibault Tricole |
|---|---|---|
| 91.79 | Average (3 Darts) | 95.86 |
| 12 | 100+ Thrown | 11 |
| 3 | 140+ Thrown | 9 |
| 4 | 180 Thrown | 0 |
| 108 | Highest Checkout | 104 |
| 1 | Checkout 100+ | 1 |
| 50 | Checkout percentage | 54.5 |
| 3 / 6 | Checkout | 6 / 11 |
He has a lot to ponder as despite getting chances in these tournaments he is not delivering and amid the likelihood of having to qualify for World Matchplay for instance, it is very much make or break the next few months.
Raymond van Barneveld elsewhere rolled back the years as he changed his set-up to great effect averaging 103.43 as he swept aside Patrick Klingelhoefer 6-1. This sets up a tie with Jonny Clayton. Gian van Veen and Wessel Nijman also advanced from a Dutch perspective.
While Dirk van Duijvenbode dented home hopes as he took down Niko Springer. Luke Woodhouse also celebrated a comeback win over Matt Campbell, while Ryan Searle was dumped out by Darius Labanauskas in one of the main shocks of the day.
Joe Cullen a winner in Riesa back in 2020 returned to winning ways on the European Tour stage too by seeing off Robert Owen. Not too happy with his display but after getting trounced last time he was in Gottingen, he will take some confidence heading into a tie with Nathan Aspinall.
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Cullen ends night with scrappy win!
Cullen missed bull for 130 and a 4-1 lead and Owen returned only to snooker himself on double 20.
Cullen came back with 33 in mind and pinned double 16 for 4-1. Cullen missed 120 on double 20 for 5-1.
Owen's double woes continued and Cullen made it 5-1. He missed 97 for 5-2 and Cullen returned for the win 6-1.
| Joe Cullen | VS | Robert Owen |
|---|---|---|
| 86.81 | Average (3 Darts) | 85.73 |
| 4 | 100+ Thrown | 9 |
| 3 | 140+ Thrown | 4 |
| 3 | 180 Thrown | 2 |
| 72 | Highest Checkout | 52 |
| 0 | Checkout 100+ | 0 |
| 41.7 | Checkout percentage | 12.5 |
| 5 / 12 | Checkout | 1 / 8 |
Cullen halfway to victory
Cullen and Owen both sealed breaks to start the match and make it 1-1.
A 180 left 72 for Cullen with that operatic call from Franz Engerer anchoring him towards a 2-1 lead and he was throwing for 3-1.
He missed two at 60 and handed Owen the chance at 100 but couldn't get two double 20's but Cullen finally returned for double 10.
De Decker sets up Price clash
Klose made it 3-3. He was given a chance to break but couldn't take it and De Decker made it 4-3.
De Decker broke for 5-3 and was throwing for the win. Klose missed 121 for the match and De Decker returned for double 20 for the win.
| Mike De Decker | VS | Daniel Klose |
|---|---|---|
| 89.94 | Average (3 Darts) | 91.86 |
| 13 | 100+ Thrown | 12 |
| 8 | 140+ Thrown | 5 |
| 0 | 180 Thrown | 2 |
| 75 | Highest Checkout | 40 |
| 0 | Checkout 100+ | 0 |
| 42.9 | Checkout percentage | 23.1 |
| 6 / 14 | Checkout | 3 / 13 |
De Decker edges ahead of Klose
De Decker was broken early on but has hit back at Klose. The German has seen his thrown broken by De Decker who is now into a 2-1 lead and aiming to break again for 3-1.
Klose missed 82 to hold. De Decker pressured but the German pinned double 20 for 2-2.
De Decker though is 3-2 up having pinned double 10 to make it 3-2.
Schindler eases through, straight through to Sunday
Schindler is performing superbly but Lovely is producing his namesake as he sits well with Schindler.
Lovely and Schindler were both on a nine-darter. The former saw his dart bounce out and Schindler could not add to his tally.
But he got over the line and pinned double 18 for a break for 5-2. He hit double eight for 6-2 to seal the win.
| Martin Schindler | VS | Thomas Lovely |
|---|---|---|
| 102.68 | Average (3 Darts) | 92.47 |
| 7 | 100+ Thrown | 9 |
| 6 | 140+ Thrown | 5 |
| 5 | 180 Thrown | 4 |
| 100 | Highest Checkout | 75 |
| 1 | Checkout 100+ | 0 |
| 37.5 | Checkout percentage | 22.2 |
| 6 / 16 | Checkout | 2 / 9 |
Schindler ends break bonanza
The king of the German European Tour Schindler hit a 180 and a 140 to leave 88. He didn't take it out but returned for a first hold of throw on double 10 to make it 3-1.
The title he won last year certainly bringing back good memories for The Wall.
Van Duijvenbode silences Springer
Springer couldn't hit 72 and Van Duijvenbode pinned 52 to make it 5-3.
Van Duijvenbode had darts to seal the win as he roared to silence the crowd with a 101 average in the end.
| Dirk Van Duijvenbode | VS | Niko Springer |
|---|---|---|
| 103.85 | Average (3 Darts) | 101.73 |
| 6 | 100+ Thrown | 11 |
| 5 | 140+ Thrown | 7 |
| 6 | 180 Thrown | 1 |
| 90 | Highest Checkout | 68 |
| 0 | Checkout 100+ | 0 |
| 50 | Checkout percentage | 33.3 |
| 5 / 10 | Checkout | 3 / 9 |
Springer fighting back against Dirk
Springer has gone one behind at 4-3. Van Duijvenbode broke to make it 3-2.
He held to make it 4-2. Springer couldn't hit 122 to break back and Van Duijvenbode held but the German now has to break to make it 4-4.
Tricole makes history
Thibault Tricole has staved off a late comeback to see off Michael Smith 6-3 in the end and make history.
Tricole becomes the first ever Frenchman to win on the European Tour in a classy display as Michael Smith's despair continues.
| Michael Smith | VS | Thibault Tricole |
|---|---|---|
| 91.79 | Average (3 Darts) | 95.86 |
| 12 | 100+ Thrown | 11 |
| 3 | 140+ Thrown | 9 |
| 4 | 180 Thrown | 0 |
| 108 | Highest Checkout | 104 |
| 1 | Checkout 100+ | 1 |
| 50 | Checkout percentage | 54.5 |
| 3 / 6 | Checkout | 6 / 11 |
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