Slovak Darts Open Sunday afternoon Round-Up: Michael van Gerwen, Stephen Bunting and Cameron Menzies slumped out as Nathan Aspinall impresses

This Sunday afternoon, the last 16 of the 2026 Slovak Darts Open was played. Still in contention at the start were Rob Cross, Michael van Gerwen, Cameron Menzies, Nathan Aspinall, and Stephen Bunting.

But multiple of the top names lost out including Van Gerwen, Bunting and Menzies as the Quarter-Final line-up has been set up in Bratislava.

Perhaps most impressive though was Nathan Aspinall who thrashed Ryan Searle 6-0. After his stag do last week and albeit while admitting he had throw issues again, he was at his brilliant best as he downed Searle in a whitewash.

This with a 108 average and pinning an 84 checkout on double 11 to win it. Michael van Gerwen though was dumped out by Andrew Gilding who continues to impress who won narrowly.

He held to start on double 18 and broke with a 51 checkout for 2-0. He then broke again on double 18. Gilding was broken back but still held a break. He hit 52 and 56 and was closing in on going one away. Gilding lost throw for 5-4 with MVG hitting double 20 but Gilding came back on 42 after MVG missed darts for a decider and he won 6-4.

While Tom Sykes also majorly impressed. 'The Castleford Tiger' is enjoying a dream European Tour run and now faces Jermaine Wattimena in tonight's Quarter-Finals. He saw off Cameron Menzies 6-4.

Double 20 and a 48 checkout as Menzies went with throw for a 2-1 lead over Sykes. Double 16 was popped and Sykes broke for 3-2. Sykes was one away at 5-4 and throwing for it still maintaining that break. He claimed it with a 104 checkout. While Wattimena saved his skin as he won through against Danny Noppert narrowly.

After being down early on, Noppert had flipped the script and led 4-2 over Wattimena in the Dutch Derby. Wattimena hit double eight to make it 4-3 but Noppert hit 81 checkout to make it 5-3. He's one away but Wattimena has made it 5-4 so always on his coattails and he snatched the win on double 12.

To start Rob Cross also edged past Kevin Doets 6-5 and now faces Aspinall after the latter's red hot display. Other victors included Ross Smith who faced good friend Chris Dobey and won 6-4.

A 70 checkout for Smith saw him go 1-0 up. A break for Smith to hit double 20. Double 16 and double 20 to break again as he went 4-0 up. Smith was broken back but his lead was still huge with a 64 checkout and double four to go one away at 5-2. Albeit he did have late pressure, Dobey broke again with a 124 checkout but Smith back on double 18 for a 6-4 win.

While De Decker saw off Ryan Joyce. He came from 4-3 down to lead. A break with a 92 checkout to break back then double 20 for 5-4. Joyce sent it to a decider on double four but De Decker returned for 104 for a superb closer.

Before finally Wessel Nijman dazzled again thrashing Stephen Bunting 6-1. He pinned 64 for 2-0 then double 16 for 4-0 and despite losing his throw with an 86 checkout at 4-1, he returned for 74 to go one away and after Bunting missed 57, he returned for 60 to win it. He now faces De Decker later.