Kevin Doets and Charlie Manby shine on day one in Riesa at the International Darts Open
Kevin Doets and Charlie Manby shine on day one in Riesa at the International Darts Open
Kevin Doets continued his remarkable rise on the PDC circuit with a ruthless whitewash victory over Tom Bissell, while rising English talent Charlie Manby celebrated a dream debut on the Winamax European Tour during Friday’s opening session at the Elten Safety Shoes International Darts Open in Riesa.
A packed first day of action at the WT Energiesysteme Arena saw several standout performances, but it was Doets who produced one of the most dominant displays of the afternoon as he powered into the second round with a flawless 6-0 victory.
The Dutchman has enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2026, claiming his maiden PDC ranking title earlier this month and reaching the final of the Austrian Darts Open just a week ago. He carried that confidence into Riesa, averaging 102.48 and missing only a single dart at double in a devastating performance against Bissell.
Doets never allowed his opponent an opportunity to settle, controlling the contest from start to finish as he maintained his record of reaching the second round in all five of his European Tour appearances this season.
“I didn’t go all the way last time [in Graz], so that’s what I’m trying to do this weekend,” proclaimed Doets, who will face newly-crowned Players Championship winner Luke Woodhouse in Saturday’s second round.
“Every game is important, and I’m trying to produce my best.
“Luke [Woodhouse] just won his first ever tournament so his confidence will be high, but I’m looking forward to it.”
Another player celebrating a milestone moment was Charlie Manby, who marked his European Tour debut with a memorable victory over Germany’s Niko Springer.
The 20-year-old has been widely tipped as one of England’s brightest young prospects, and he justified that reputation with a composed 6-3 success against one of the most dangerous young players on the circuit.
Manby seized control of the contest with a brilliant 11-dart leg to move into a 4-1 lead and never relinquished his advantage despite spirited resistance from Springer, who produced excellent 92 and 112 checkouts in an attempt to mount a comeback.
The young Englishman held his nerve superbly in the closing stages to secure the biggest stage victory of his career and set up a second-round clash with World Championship semi-finalist Ryan Searle.
“As soon as I got up here, I felt at home, so it was a good start,” insisted Manby.
“The first one is always the best. I’m just grateful to be here in front of a good crowd, and be on stage again.
“I think Ryan and I are both top-quality players. I know I’m good enough as well, and I’ve got the belief in myself that I need to be here.”
Elsewhere, former World Champion Rob Cross boosted his hopes of qualifying for the World Matchplay with a hard-fought victory over Dirk van Duijvenbode in one of the matches of the session.
All 11 legs went with throw in a high-quality contest, as Cross managed to withstand four maximums and a pair of ton-plus checkouts from the Dutchman to emerge with a crucial 6-5 success.
The two-time European Champion will now take on Belgium’s Mike De Decker in the last 32.
“I just kept my nose in front,” said Cross.
“It just shows I didn’t need his throw, I needed mine. I was lucky enough to get away with it.
“Mike is a good lad and he will play well tomorrow. Tomorrow is a different day; if I turn up, then I could be great.”
Karel Sedlacek also strengthened his hopes of a maiden World Matchplay appearance with a commanding whitewash victory over Johan Engstrom. The Czech star now faces German number one and former International Darts Open champion Martin Schindler.
Poland’s Krzysztof Ratajski battled through a scrappy encounter to defeat Cristo Reyes 6-4, taking advantage of 19 missed doubles from the Spaniard to book a meeting with defending champion Stephen Bunting.
Former International Darts Open winner Joe Cullen staged an impressive comeback against Chris Landman, recovering from 5-3 down to snatch victory in a deciding leg and earn a second-round showdown with Ross Smith.
Kim Huybrechts continued his excellent season with a convincing 6-2 win over Daryl Gurney. The Belgian came agonisingly close to a whitewash before eventually settling for victory and a meeting with Chris Dobey.
Eight-time European Tour title winner Dave Chisnall was also forced to work hard before defeating Host Nation Qualifier Liam Maendl-Lawrence 6-3. Chisnall’s reward is a difficult second-round clash against James Wade.
German favourite Ricardo Pietreczko delighted the home crowd with a confident 6-2 victory over Maik Kuivenhoven and will now face Danny Noppert.
Niels Zonneveld was equally impressive, converting 75 percent of his attempts at double in a 6-2 success against Keane Barry to set up a clash with Australian number one Damon Heta.
William O’Connor and Connor Scutt also progressed comfortably. O’Connor defeated Host Nation Qualifier Paul Krohne to earn a meeting with top Dutch seed Wessel Nijman, while Scutt produced one of the performances of the day against Finn Behrens.
Scutt landed three ton-plus checkouts in an eye-catching display and will now take on Dutch number one Gian van Veen.
Cameron Menzies showed tremendous resilience to survive three match darts and edge past Michael Unterbuchner in a dramatic deciding-leg thriller. The Scotsman’s reward is a second-round encounter with Austrian Darts Open champion Josh Rock.
Bradley Brooks also claimed his first European Tour victory of the season, defeating recent Players Championship winner Andrew Gilding 6-4 to set up a meeting with Jermaine Wattimena.
Ryan Joyce quietly impressed in a controlled victory over Jeffrey Sparidaans and will now face Christian Kist, who received a late call-up after Gerwyn Price withdrew from the tournament on Friday morning.
Meanwhile, Latvia’s Madars Razma advanced with victory over East Europe Qualifier Gyorgy Jehirszki and now faces three-time World Champion Michael van Gerwen.
The Elten Safety Shoes International Darts Open continues on Saturday afternoon, when the tournament’s 16 seeded players enter the competition, including Premier League stars Gian van Veen and Michael van Gerwen as the battle for the title intensifies in Riesa.
Kevin Doets and Charlie Manby shine on day one in Riesa at the International Darts Open
2026 Elten Safety Shoes International Darts Open
Friday May 22
Afternoon Session
Round One
Ryan Joyce 6-2 Jeffrey Sparidaans
Connor Scutt 6-1 Finn Behrens
Madars Razma 6-2 György Jehirszki
Bradley Brooks 6-4 Andrew Gilding
Cameron Menzies 6-5 Michael Unterbuchner
Karel Sedlacek 6-0 Johan Engström
Ricardo Pietreczko 6-2 Maik Kuivenhoven
Niels Zonneveld 6-2 Keane Barry
Evening Session
Dave Chisnall 6-3 Liam Maendl-Lawrance
Kevin Doets 6-0 Tom Bissell
William O’Connor 6-2 Paul Krohne
Joe Cullen 6-5 Chris Landman
Rob Cross 6-5 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Krzysztof Ratajski 6-4 Cristo Reyes
Charlie Manby 6-3 Niko Springer
Kim Huybrechts 6-2 Daryl Gurney
Saturday May 23
Round Two
Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)
Jermaine Wattimena v Bradley Brooks
Damon Heta v Niels Zonneveld
Luke Woodhouse v Kevin Doets
Danny Noppert v Ricardo Pietreczko
Ross Smith v Joe Cullen
Mike De Decker v Rob Cross
Wessel Nijman v William O’Connor
Josh Rock v Cameron Menzies
Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)
Chris Dobey v Kim Huybrechts
James Wade v Dave Chisnall
Ryan Searle v Niko Springer
Christian Kist v Ryan Joyce
Gian van Veen v Connor Scutt
Michael van Gerwen v Madars Razma
Stephen Bunting v Krzysztof Ratajski
Martin Schindler v Karel Sedlacek
NB: Gerwyn Price has withdrawn from this weekend’s Elten Safety Shoes International Darts Open. Price withdrew before the tournament began, so as per PDC rules, the Welshman is directly replaced in the draw by Christian Kist.
