Luke Humphries and Luke Littler Return to Winning Ways at Czech Darts Open
Luke Humphries and Luke Littler Return to Winning Ways at Czech Darts Open
Luke Humphries and Luke Littler returned to winning ways on the European Tour on Saturday, as the two stars booked their places in the final day of the 2026 ČEZ Czech Darts Open.
Humphries, a three-time Czech Darts Open champion, produced a sensational display at the PVA Expo to defeat history-maker Beau Greaves 6-2 and move into Sunday’s last 16.
Having become the first woman to win a match on the European Tour with her victory over Daryl Gurney on Friday, Greaves faced another formidable challenge against the world number two.
She began impressively, opening the contest with a 13-darter, but Humphries immediately responded with legs of 12 and 14 darts to establish an early lead.
Greaves continued to battle and reduced the deficit to 2-1, but Humphries then shifted through the gears.
The three-time Czech Darts Open champion rattled off three consecutive legs to take control before eventually closing out a 6-2 victory with an outstanding average just shy of 109.
“I knew I had to play a lot better than last week,” explained Humphries, who suffered a second-round exit at last weekend’s Hungarian Darts Trophy.
“48 hours ago I wasn’t sure whether I was going to play; I seem to play better when I have an injury!
“She’s an amazing player, she pushed me all the way, it was a couple of bits towards the end of the match that got me through in the end.
“She’s just a great dart player. If I had lost today, I wouldn’t have been disgraced, I would have lost to a really great dart player.”
Humphries will now face Andrew Gilding in Sunday afternoon’s last-16 action after the former UK Open champion stunned Nathan Aspinall 6-2.
Gilding raced into a commanding 5-0 advantage against the former World Matchplay champion before sealing a comprehensive victory with a superb 122 checkout.
“This place absolutely loves me, I don’t really know why that is, I get so much support, I just love being here,” reflected Gilding.
“Hopefully I can go into tomorrow, have a good showing and who knows what will happen after that!”
LITTLER IMPRESSES ON EUROPEAN TOUR RETURN
World Champion Luke Littler also produced a statement performance on his return to the European Tour stage, defeating Niko Springer 6-4 with an astonishing 108.59 average.
The world number one was making his first big-stage appearance since successfully defending his World Matchplay title and looked sharp despite Springer mounting a late comeback.
Littler established a 5-2 advantage before the German won two consecutive legs to reduce the deficit to 5-4 and threaten a dramatic decider.
However, Littler held his nerve to complete the victory and book a last-16 meeting with Polish number one Krzysztof Ratajski.
The victory marked Littler’s return to the European Tour after missing eight consecutive events on the circuit over the past six months.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been to a European Tour,” said Littler.
“Full credit to Niko [Springer]. I was 5-2 up and then suddenly it was 5-4 and he was right back in it.
“I’ve just produced a 108 average, but when I was practicing backstage, I couldn’t hit anything.”
Ratajski secured his place in the last 16 with a 6-2 victory over Jermaine Wattimena in the opening game of Saturday’s afternoon session.
Littler is expecting another stern test from the Polish star.
“Niko is a really quick player, with Krzysztof [Ratajski] tomorrow, I know how to manage his pace but he is very dangerous.
“I’m smiling, it feels good to be back!”
VAN VEEN AND SMITH SET FOR SHOWDOWN
Gian van Veen continued his impressive form with a dominant 6-1 victory over Jeffrey de Graaf.
The world number three recorded his fourth consecutive victory over de Graaf by the same scoreline and will now face Ross Smith for a place in the quarter-finals.
Smith, the reigning Hungarian Darts Trophy champion, continued his bid to win back-to-back European Tour titles by defeating Stephen Burton 6-1.
Welsh duo Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price also progressed to the final day.
Clayton defeated Australian number one Damon Heta 6-2, producing impressive finishes of 156 and 124 along the way.
Price matched that winning margin against Callan Rydz, averaging more than 103 in a dominant performance.
Price will face Cameron Menzies in the last 16 after the Scottish star defeated compatriot Gary Anderson 6-3.
Clayton, meanwhile, will meet Keane Barry, who defeated seeded player Chris Dobey 6-4.
VAN GERWEN SURVIVES AS NIJMAN ADVANCES
Michael van Gerwen’s quest for a maiden Czech Darts Open title remains alive after he defeated Mario Vandenbogaerde 6-4.
Vandenbogaerde had produced one of Friday’s biggest shocks by defeating Dirk van Duijvenbode, but Van Gerwen proved too strong as the three-time World Champion moved into the last 16.
He will now face fellow Dutchman Wessel Nijman in one of Sunday afternoon’s standout clashes.
Nijman survived a dramatic encounter with Martin Schindler, with the German producing a brilliant 170 checkout during the contest before missing a crucial big number in the deciding leg.
Nijman capitalised to snatch victory and book his place in the final day.
Josh Rock and William O’Connor will also meet in the last 16 after the pair defeated Ryan Joyce and Ryan Searle respectively.
Luke Woodhouse closed Saturday’s action with an impressive 6-4 victory over Stephen Bunting, averaging more than 105 to continue his run in Prague.
Woodhouse will face Danny Noppert on Sunday after the Dutchman defeated Kevin Doets 6-1.
The 2026 ČEZ Czech Darts Open concludes on Sunday, with the last 16 taking place in the afternoon before the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final are staged in a bumper evening session.
Humphries, Littler, Van Gerwen, Van Veen, Price, Clayton and reigning champion Ross Smith will all battle for a place in the closing stages as the action reaches its climax in Prague.
Luke Humphries and Luke Littler Return to Winning Ways at Czech Darts Open
2026 Czech Darts Open
Saturday September 5
Round Two
Afternoon Session
Krzysztof Ratajski 6-2 Jermaine Wattimena
William O’Connor 6-4 Ryan Searle
Danny Noppert 6-1 Kevin Doets
Cameron Menzies 6-3 Gary Anderson
Keane Barry 6-4 Chris Dobey
Ross Smith 6-1 Stephen Burton
Andrew Gilding 6-2 Nathan Aspinall
Wessel Nijman 6-5 Martin Schindler
Evening Session
Gian van Veen 6-1 Jeffrey de Graaf
Jonny Clayton 6-2 Damon Heta
Gerwyn Price 6-2 Callan Rydz
Luke Littler 6-4 Niko Springer
Luke Humphries 6-2 Beau Greaves
Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Mario Vandenbogaerde
Josh Rock 6-3 Ryan Joyce
Luke Woodhouse 6-4 Stephen Bunting
Sunday September 6
Round Three
Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)
Gerwyn Price v Cameron Menzies
Gian van Veen v Ross Smith
Josh Rock v William O’Connor
Luke Humphries v Andrew Gilding
Jonny Clayton v Keane Barry
Michael van Gerwen v Wessel Nijman
Luke Woodhouse v Danny Noppert
Luke Littler v Krzysztof Ratajski
Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)
Quarter-Finals
Semi-Finals
Final
