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.
LiveBlog
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- I agree,but there still isn't a good enough German player to be considered. I've said before,scrap the whole thing,its a payday for the top players and gives nothing to anyone elserick6707-04-2025
- The Premier League isn’t a meritocracy as it’s not the top 8 players in the rankings, either at the start of the league or now. Dobey currently 9, Price 12. Aside from the top four Sky get picks, thats not meritocracy.Mysstree07-04-2025
- Aspinall really struggles against Littler. Head to head is currently 9 - 1 in Littlers favour.Mysstree07-04-2025
- Less exhibitions then you numpty.Mysstree06-04-2025
- I agree. There needs to be a points system and preferably just a rolling one year. World Championship should earn the most points though it can be argued that the current qualification system does see a fair few players qualify from regional country qualifiers who would struggle to hold down a place on the Pro Tour. If prize money won is going to remain as the determining factor for ranking then the World Championship should just consist of the 128 Tour Card Holders. Another option would be to take the World Championship out of the rankings and have it as the stand alone pinnacle that you qualify for by winning certain tournaments or your ranking position, sort of like a GSOD+.Mysstree05-04-2025
- The Premier league has literally become a pantomime with a hero and villain, all thats needed is an older dart player in drag to play the joke old woman / queen and a younger woman to play the male hero. Barry is probably working on it now.Mysstree04-04-2025
- Ridiculous the booing for both these players in the final in Germany tonightListerAnderson03-04-2025
- May only have won two PDC Majors but thats two more than most players will ever win. He wasn’t lucky either to beat Taylor and MVG, he outplayed them.Mysstree29-03-2025
- Bunting is having a nightmare.Mysstree28-03-2025
- The next prodigy (prodigies) are just round the corner. Wonder if it gets to the stage of 180 after 180 being hit leg after leg whether there will be a modification to the equipment such as reduced doubles and trebles, reduce the size of the board or length of the oche?Mysstree25-03-2025