Van Gerwen Reminds The World He’s Still Here Powering into the Czech Darts Open Last 16

Michael van Gerwen produced one of his finest performances of the season on Saturday in Prague, sweeping aside Mike De Decker with a sensational whitewash to book his place in round three of the Gambrinus Czech Darts Open.

The Dutchman averaged 112.73 – his highest display on the European Tour in 2025 – as he dismantled the World Grand Prix champion 6-0 in a ruthless show of power scoring and clinical finishing. It was a statement win for the three-time World Champion, who has been searching for consistent form over recent months.

“To deliver that again feels amazing – it’s been a while,” Van Gerwen admitted afterwards. “I thought the first four or five legs especially were at a very high standard. My confidence hasn’t been where I want it over the last year, but if I keep working hard, I can produce more of this. I know that when I play my best, I can beat anyone. I just need to make sure I do it more often.”

The result sets up a mouth-watering last 16 showdown with Josh Rock on Sunday afternoon. Rock, who reached the semi-finals at last month’s World Matchplay, continued his strong run of form with a 6-2 victory over William O’Connor. The Northern Irishman’s highlight came with a spectacular 101 checkout featuring back-to-back bullseyes.

Elsewhere, World Champion Luke Littler began his campaign with a 6-2 win over Cameron Menzies. The teenager, fresh from his European Tour success in Germany earlier this summer, looked sharp as he set up a tasty clash with Gian van Veen – a repeat of their 2023 World Youth Championship final.

“I started well but knew Cammy would keep pushing,” Littler said. “I’m just pleased to get through. Last year I had some great memories here with big averages, even though I lost to Luke [Humphries]. I know me and Gian always put on a good show, so I’m really looking forward to tomorrow.”

Defending champion Humphries endured a tougher test in his opener, edging past Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-4. The world number one admitted he was far from his best but remains on course for a third title in Prague.

“I didn’t play well – not the standard I expect from myself,” Humphries confessed. “Dirk gave me a lot of opportunities, and I probably didn’t deserve to win. But I’ve won this title twice before, so I wasn’t going to miss the chance to defend it. Tomorrow, I’ll need to be much better.” Humphries now faces Germany’s Martin Schindler in round three.

Former champion Peter Wright also impressed on Saturday, seeing off Benjamin Pratnemer 6-2 to line up a showdown with Stephen Bunting, who had earlier battled to a 6-4 victory over Kevin Doets.

Meanwhile, Welsh duo Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton both advanced to set up a blockbuster all-Welsh clash in the last 16. Price overcame Niko Springer with relative ease, while Clayton came through against Ryan Joyce.

James Wade, enjoying a resurgent year on tour, produced another clinical display with a 107.71 average in his 6-3 victory over Nathan Aspinall. The win earned Wade a meeting with former European Champion Ross Smith.

Other notable results saw Rob Cross battle through to set up a tie against Dutch prospect Wessel Nijman, while Jermaine Wattimena booked his place in round three by defeating Ryan Searle.

With the field now whittled down to the last 16, Sunday promises to be a dramatic day of action at the PVA Expo. The afternoon session will determine the quarter-final line-up before the tournament concludes with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final all taking place in a blockbuster evening session.

Van Gerwen, Littler, Humphries, Price, and Wade remain firmly in the hunt – but with in-form players like Rock, Bunting and Schindler still alive, the Czech Darts Open looks set to deliver another memorable finale.

Van Gerwen Reminds The World He’s Still Here Powering into the Czech Darts Open Last 16

Saturday September 6

Round Two

Afternoon Session

Ross Smith 6-4 Andrew Gilding

Martin Schindler 6-3 Madars Razma

Wessel Nijman 6-5 Damon Heta

Jermaine Wattimena 6-2 Chris Dobey

Gian van Veen 6-2 Danny Noppert

Ryan Searle 6-4 Dave Chisnall

Peter Wright 6-2 Benjamin Pratnemer

Jonny Clayton 6-2 Ryan Joyce

Ross Smith 6-4 Andrew Gilding

Martin Schindler 6-3 Madars Razma

Wessel Nijman 6-5 Damon Heta

Jermaine Wattimena 6-2 Chris Dobey

Gian van Veen 6-2 Danny Noppert

Ryan Searle 6-4 Dave Chisnall

Peter Wright 6-2 Benjamin Pratnemer

Jonny Clayton 6-2 Ryan Joyce

Evening Session

Rob Cross 6-1 Krzysztof Ratajski

Gerwyn Price 6-2 Niko Springer

Stephen Bunting 6-4 Kevin Doets

James Wade 6-3 Nathan Aspinall

Luke Humphries 6-4 Dirk van Duijvenbode

Luke Littler 6-2 Cameron Menzies

Michael van Gerwen 6-0 Mike De Decker

Josh Rock 6-2 William O’Connor

Sunday September 7

Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)

Round Three

Luke Humphries v Martin Schindler

Rob Cross v Wessel Nijman

Stephen Bunting v Peter Wright

James Wade v Ross Smith

Luke Littler v Gian van Veen

Gerwyn Price v Jonny Clayton

Michael van Gerwen v Josh Rock

Jermaine Wattimena v Ryan Searle

Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)

Quarter-Finals

Semi-Finals

Final

Sunday’s matches to be played in draw bracket order.