Baetens Stuns Cross as Humphries Survives Scare in Kiel
Baetens Stuns Cross as Humphries Survives Scare in Kiel
Andy Baetens delivered one of the standout performances on a dramatic Day Two at the Elten Safety Shoes Baltic Sea Darts Open, ousting defending champion Rob Cross in emphatic fashion. The Belgian continued his impressive run at the Wunderino Arena in Kiel, navigating a stacked second round that saw several high-profile players crash out of the tournament.
Baetens, who had already made headlines on Friday by defeating Dutch legend Raymond van Barneveld, showcased nerves of steel once again to dispatch 2024 European Champion Cross. The Englishman had offered a glimmer of his class with a magnificent 170 checkout in the fifth leg of the match, but that proved to be little more than a highlight reel moment as Baetens quickly regained control. The Belgian rattled off three consecutive legs to close out a commanding 6-2 victory, securing just his second-ever appearance in the last 16 of a European Tour event.
The 2025 edition of the Baltic Sea Darts Open is now guaranteed to crown a new champion, with 2023 winner Dave Chisnall also falling by the wayside. The former European Tour stalwart was brushed aside 6-3 by Daryl Gurney, who appears to be hitting form at just the right time. Gurney, a two-time major winner, looked sharp throughout and capitalized on Chisnall’s inconsistency to progress.
Elsewhere, Germany’s Niko Springer sent the home crowd into raptures with a superb display to eliminate the second seed, Stephen Bunting. Springer averaged over 101 and maintained his composure in key moments to register back-to-back European Tour wins, marking one of the best performances of his career so far.
World number one Luke Humphries came perilously close to joining the list of casualties. The 2024 runner-up was pushed all the way by Mickey Mansell, who had a match dart in the deciding leg but was unable to convert. Humphries escaped by the narrowest of margins and will now prepare to face Ryan Searle in the third round. Searle looked sharp in his match against Cameron Menzies, averaging over 100 in a quick-fire 6-2 win.
Dutch number two Danny Noppert also caught the eye with a high-scoring display against World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker. Noppert landed seven 180s and averaged over a ton to secure a 6-3 win. He now sets up a tasty third-round encounter with Nathan Aspinall, who had to dig deep to overcome Ricardo Pietreczko. Aspinall led 4-1 before the German battled back with three straight legs, but the Englishman kept his composure to seal a 6-4 win.
Germany’s Martin Schindler delighted the home fans with a strong showing against Jermaine Wattimena. Schindler fired in four maximums to cruise to a 6-2 win, setting up an all-German clash with Springer that promises to be a highlight of Sunday’s action.
Northern Ireland’s Josh Rock, fresh off his World Cup triumph, continued his hot streak by thrashing Justin Hood 6-1. Rock was in full control from start to finish and will face Welsh number one Jonny Clayton in the next round. Clayton had earlier survived a tough battle with Gian van Veen, winning a high-quality affair, while his compatriot Gerwyn Price looked back to his best in a 6-1 demolition of William O’Connor, averaging over 101.
Veteran Scot Gary Anderson also looked in fine form, posting a clinical 6-3 win over Poland’s Krzysztof Ratajski. Anderson landed six of his nine darts at double and looked sharp throughout as he aims for his second European Tour title of the year.
Elsewhere, Ross Smith opened his campaign in dominant fashion with a 6-0 whitewash of Kim Huybrechts. Smith now meets fifth seed Chris Dobey, who saw off Dirk van Duijvenbode with an assured 6-3 performance. James Wade was another big name to progress, ruthlessly beating Luke Woodhouse 6-1, while Wessel Nijman completed the day’s action with a solid 6-3 victory over Australia’s Damon Heta.
Sunday promises a thrilling finale to the tournament, with third-round matches in the afternoon followed by the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final in the evening session.
Sunday Showdown Awaits
The action continues Sunday with the third round in the afternoon session, followed by the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final in the evening, as the battle for the Baltic Sea Darts Open title reaches its dramatic conclusion.
Stay tuned for another day of fireworks from the Wunderino Arena in Kiel!
Baetens Stuns Cross as Humphries Survives Scare in Kiel
2025 Elten Safety Shoes Baltic Sea Darts Open
Saturday July 12
Second Round
Afternoon Session
Ryan Searle 6-3 Cameron Menzies
Wessel Nijman 6-3 Damon Heta
Gary Anderson 6-2 Krzysztof Ratajski
Danny Noppert 6-3 Mike De Decker
Daryl Gurney 6-3 Dave Chisnall
Ross Smith 6-0 Kim Huybrechts
Jonny Clayton 6-4 Gian van Veen
James Wade 6-1 Luke Woodhouse
Evening Session
Gerwyn Price 6-1 William O’Connor
Andy Baetens 6-2 Rob Cross
Niko Springer 6-2 Stephen Bunting
Luke Humphries 6-5 Mickey Mansell
Josh Rock 6-1 Justin Hood
Martin Schindler 6-3 Jermaine Wattimena
Nathan Aspinall 6-4 Ricardo Pietreczko
Chris Dobey 6-3 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Sunday July 13
Afternoon Session (1200 local time, 1100 BST)
Third Round
Luke Humphries v Ryan Searle
Wessel Nijman v Gerwyn Price
Nathan Aspinall v Danny Noppert
Chris Dobey v Ross Smith
Niko Springer v Martin Schindler
James Wade v Daryl Gurney
Jonny Clayton v Josh Rock
Andy Baetens v Gary Anderson
Evening Session (1800 local time, 1700 BST)
Quarter-Finals
Semi-Finals
Final
Sunday’s games played in Draw Bracket order
