Cameron Menzies dazzles on day one at the Baltic Sea Darts Open to boost Matchplay hopes “I needed that win”
Cameron Menzies dazzles on day one at the Baltic Sea Darts Open to boost Matchplay hopes “I needed that win”
Cameron Menzies delivered one of the performances of the season to headline a dramatic opening day at the Elten Safety Shoes Baltic Sea Darts Open, while former World Matchplay champion Dimitri Van den Bergh marked his long-awaited return to the European Tour with an emphatic victory in Kiel.
The opening round at the MERKUR Ostseehalle featured several eye-catching displays, but it was Menzies who stole the spotlight with a sensational performance against former World Champion Rob Cross.
With both players locked in a fierce battle to secure qualification for July’s World Matchplay, the stakes were high heading into the contest. Menzies responded with a display of exceptional quality, averaging 108.41, firing in six maximums and producing relentless scoring power throughout a deserved 6-4 victory.
The Scot also produced a spectacular 170 checkout during the match, underlining his confidence as he secured one of the standout wins of the opening round.
“I’ll be honest, I felt really good in that game,” admitted Menzies after advancing to the second round.
“Rob is coming back and he pushed me, but that’s the best game I’ve played in a long time, and I needed that win.”
Menzies’ reward is a second-round showdown against reigning International Darts Open champion Stephen Bunting.
Another major storyline on Friday was the return of Dimitri Van den Bergh to the European Tour stage.
Competing in his first European Tour event for 420 days, the Belgian star showed flashes of the form that once established him among the sport’s elite players.
After falling 2-0 behind against Scotland’s Alan Soutar, Van den Bergh responded in style, reeling off six consecutive legs to complete a dominant comeback and book his place in round two.
The 31-year-old now faces Dutch number one Gian van Veen in one of Saturday evening’s most anticipated matches.
“I am working so hard behind the scenes,” declared Van den Bergh.
“I am doing my very best, and you’re seeing glimpses of what I can do again.
“There are parts of my game where I’m performing and showing what I can do, but I can do so much more, and I want so much more.”
Justin Hood continued his impressive breakthrough campaign with another strong performance on the European Tour stage.
The Englishman averaged over 103 in a composed 6-4 victory over returning German star Max Hopp, recording his second career win on the European Tour and further enhancing his growing reputation.
Sebastian Bialecki also impressed as the Polish youngster boosted his hopes of making a World Matchplay debut later this summer.
Trailing 3-1 against James Hurrell, Bialecki produced a blistering five-leg burst to complete a comeback victory, averaging in excess of 100 in the process.
Ryan Joyce enjoyed a similarly memorable victory against Christian Kist in a repeat of their meeting in Riesa last weekend.
The Englishman recovered from an early deficit and produced one of the moments of the day, taking out a spectacular 150 finish via three bullseyes on his way to victory.
Joyce’s reward is a second-round clash against German number one Martin Schindler.
Elsewhere, Niels Zonneveld came through a hard-fought all-Dutch encounter against Richard Veenstra to earn a meeting with second seed James Wade.
Kevin Doets also progressed after overcoming a stern challenge from Lukas Wenig.
The Dutchman was forced to withstand remarkable resistance from the German, who landed both 160 and 170 finishes during the contest. Despite those heroics, Doets held firm to secure victory and set up a reunion with Nathan Aspinall.
European Tour debutant Jimmy van Schie enjoyed a dream start to life on the big stage, whitewashing veteran Ian White 6-0.
The Dutchman converted six of his seven attempts at double in a ruthless display and now faces Belgian number one Mike De Decker in round two.
His compatriot Dirk van Duijvenbode was equally impressive, brushing aside Host Nation Qualifier Paul Krohne in a comprehensive six-leg blitz to arrange a meeting with International Darts Open runner-up Ryan Searle.
Poland’s Krzysztof Ratajski also advanced, surviving a late fightback from Daniel Klose to complete a 6-3 victory and secure a clash against European Darts Trophy champion Wessel Nijman.
Former Masters champion Joe Cullen cruised through his opener, defeating Host Nation Qualifier Marcel Hausotter 6-1 to set up a tasty encounter with 2023 Baltic Sea Darts Open champion Dave Chisnall.
Home favourite Niko Springer delighted the German crowd with a dominant victory over Hungary’s Nandor Major and now faces reigning International Darts Open champion Ross Smith in one of the standout ties of the second round.
William O’Connor added his name to the growing list of players producing spectacular finishes, landing a brilliant 170 checkout during his 6-4 victory over Cristo Reyes.
Andrew Gilding also advanced after capitalising on a difficult doubling display from Jeffrey de Zwaan to progress by the same scoreline.
Further drama came courtesy of Karel Sedlacek, who kept his World Matchplay qualification hopes alive with a nerve-jangling deciding-leg victory over European Tour debutant Jason Riedtke.
Meanwhile, Ricky Evans got proceedings underway in style, racing to a convincing 6-1 victory against Finland’s Teemu Harju in Friday’s opening fixture.
The Elten Safety Shoes Baltic Sea Darts Open continues on Saturday, when the tournament’s seeded stars enter the competition, including top seed Gian van Veen and newly-crowned International Darts Open champion Ross Smith as the race for the title intensifies in Kiel.
Cameron Menzies dazzles on day one at the Baltic Sea Darts Open to boost Matchplay hopes
2026 Elten Safety Shoes Baltic Sea Darts Open
Friday May 29
Round One
Afternoon Session
Ricky Evans 6-1 Teemu Harju
Karel Sedlacek 6-5 Jason Riedtke
Ryan Joyce 6-3 Christian Kist
Jimmy van Schie 6-0 Ian White
Krzysztof Ratajski 6-3 Daniel Klose
Dimitri Van den Bergh 6-2 Alan Soutar
Justin Hood 6-4 Max Hopp
Andrew Gilding 6-4 Jeffrey de Zwaan
Evening Session
Niels Zonneveld 6-4 Richard Veenstra
Kevin Doets 6-3 Lukas Wenig
Cameron Menzies 6-4 Rob Cross
Sebastian Bialecki 6-3 James Hurrell
Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-0 Paul Krohne
William O’Connor 6-4 Cristo Reyes
Joe Cullen 6-1 Marcel Hausotter
Niko Springer 6-2 Nandor Major
Saturday May 30
Round Two
Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)
Wessel Nijman v Krzysztof Ratajski
Luke Woodhouse v Andrew Gilding
Mike De Decker v Jimmy van Schie
Daryl Gurney v Ricky Evans
Damon Heta v Karel Sedlacek
Ryan Searle v Dirk van Duijvenbode
Dave Chisnall v Joe Cullen
Jermaine Wattimena v Justin Hood
Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)
Danny Noppert v William O’Connor
Chris Dobey v Sebastian Bialecki
James Wade v Niels Zonneveld
Stephen Bunting v Cameron Menzies
Nathan Aspinall v Kevin Doets
Gian van Veen v Dimitri Van den Bergh
Martin Schindler v Ryan Joyce
Ross Smith v Niko Springer
