Peter Wright and Michael van Gerwen both suffered defeats in Wieze today.

The pair were the highest profile casualties on day two of the European Tour event in Belgium.

Van Gerwen exits to home crowd favourite

Dutchman Michael van Gerwen was defeated by Kim Huybrechts in spectacular fashion. The Hurricane was the last remaining player from Belgium left in the field at the time. He ensured he will be back tomorrow to once again play in front of a home crowd with a 6-4 victory.
The match had its moments, as Huybrechts broke to lead the match 3-1. That’s despite some difficulty on the outer ring early on. But Van Gerwen hit back to level at 4-4, and even looked like leading 5-4.
The 10th leg proved to be the final one, but it definitely did not look that way. Van Gerwen left just 40 after 12 darts, but missed 9 darts at the target. Huybrechts, who was on 335 after 9 darts, then spent a couple of visits with less emphasis on winning the leg, and more preparing for the decider. However, the Belgian produced a sensational 134 check out to stun Van Gerwen, and move in to the final day of action.

Snakebite falls to gusty Zonneveld

World Champion Peter Wright was fastest out of the blocks in this one, and despite an early showing of just 1/6 on the doubles he eased in to a 4-2 lead. Zonneveld hit back with three straight legs to lead. The first time he had done so since leg 3. But he couldn’t shake Wright, who forced the match to a decider.
In the very first leg of the match Zonneveld took out 108 for the leg. The Checkout receiving a friendly acknowledgement and first bump from his opponent.
Bizarrely before the final leg commenced, Zonneveld offered Wright the courteous fist bump as has been customary in the sport in recent years. Wright turned down the offer, gesturing to wave the hand away. This seemed to fire Zonneveld up a little, who made no mistake second time of asking at double 9 to win the match.

Seeds do the business

Aside from Wright and MvG, today was mostly without upsets. Joe Cullen, Jonny Clayton, and Danny Noppert all made it through to tomorrow. They were joined by Rob Cross, Nathan Aspinall and Dirk Van Duijvenbode.
Dave Chisnall continued his great form with a win over Jelle Klaasen, whilst Adrian Lewis stole the show with an outstanding 102.94 average in a 6-1 win over Boris Krcmar.

Dimitri van den Bergh was amongst those to fall. The Belgian beaten by Andrew Gilding in yet another last leg decider today. Goldfinger continuing to impress in 2022.

Ross Smith was one of the other big talking points of today. With the final World Grand Prix spot on the line, Smudger produced a 103.31 average against Jose De Sousa. However, that average was in a 6-5 defeat to the Special One. Smith does remain in the 16th and final spot following loses for Keane Barry, Ryan Meikle and Mervyn King. Only a tournament victory for Neils Zonneveld will stop the Englishman heading to Leicester.

 

Belgian Darts Open Day Two Results

Afternoon Session
Rusty-Jake Rodriguez 6-5 Damon Heta
Gabriel Clemens 6-1 Ryan Meikle
Martin Schindler 6-2 Karel Sedlacek
Ryan Searle 6-1 Bradley Brooks
Jose de Sousa 6-5 Ross Smith
Dave Chisnall 6-2 Jelle Klaasen
Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-5 Mervyn King
Nathan Aspinall 6-1 Jamie Hughes

Evening Session 
Rob Cross 6-4 Mike De Decker
Jonny Clayton 6-5 Keane Barry
Andrew Gilding 6-5 Dimitri Van den Bergh
Niels Zonneveld 6-5 Peter Wright
Joe Cullen 6-2 Dennis Nilsson
Kim Huybrechts 6-4 Michael van Gerwen
Adrian Lewis 6-1 Boris Krcmar
Danny Noppert 6-5 Madars Razma

Final Day Fixtures

Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)
Third Round
Niels Zonneveld v Andrew Gilding
Rusty-Jake Rodriguez v Martin Schindler
Dirk Van Duijvenbode v Jonny Clayton
Rob Cross v Gabriel Clemens
Ryan Searle v Jose de Sousa
Nathan Aspinall v Dave Chisnall
Joe Cullen v Danny Noppert
Kim Huybrechts v Adrian Lewis

Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)
Quarter-Finals
Semi-Finals
Final

 

Photo Credit: PDC/Kais Bodensieck