Austrian Darts Open 2023 | Day Two Preview and Order of Play
The seeded stars begin their campaigns at the 2023 Austrian Darts Open on Saturday as the Second Round action takes centre stage in Premstätten.
The fifth of 13 European Tour events this season features 48 players battling it out for £175,000 in prize money at the Steiermarkhalle from April 21-23.
Saturday’s afternoon session features a show-down between former Premier League champion Jonny Clayton and former Lakeside Champion Jelle Klaasen.
Clayton’s only Euro Tour title to date came at this event back in 2018, while Klaasen is making his first Euro Tour appearance of the year as an Associate Member Qualifier and defeated William O’Connor courtesy of a 130 checkout in the deciding leg on Friday.
Reigning UK Open champion Andrew Gilding, a former Euro Tour event finalist, kicks off the day’s action with a tie against former ProTour event finalist Matt Campbell – who edged out Ian White 6-5 in his opener.
Another stand-out tie sees World Youth Champion Josh Rock commence his latest bid for a maiden Euro Tour title with a clash against recent Players Championship event winner Krzysztof Ratajski.
Former World Champion Rob Cross, a three-time runner-up on the Euro Tour last year, opens up against methodical Dutchman Maik Kuivenhoven, while former Premier League finalist Joe Cullen faces Welshman Nick Kenny – who saw off Madars Razma in Round One.
Baltic Sea Darts Open champion Dave Chisnall starts out against former ProTour event winner Mickey Mansell, as World Cup of Darts winner and fourth seed Damon Heta meets Luke Woodhouse.
Fresh from Thursday’s Premier League Night 12 title in Rotterdam, Nathan Aspinall aims to continue his winning run by overcoming Host Nation qualifier Hannes Schnier – who recovered from 5-2 down and survived six match darts to defeat Jeffrey de Zwaan in Round One.
The evening session sees defending champion Michael van Gerwen launch his quest for a fifth Austrian Open crown against former World Cup of Darts winner John Henderson.
Van Gerwen will be out to bounce back from his disappointing early exit on home soil in Rotterdam on Thursday by putting down an instant marker at the expense of the resurgent Scot – who famously defeated the Dutchman in the World Grand Prix and secured a draw as a ‘Contender’ in the Premier League in Aberdeen.
Multiple ranking event winner Ryan Searle, the number 11 seed, takes on five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld in another box office battle.
Searle reached the Semi-Finals of the opening Euro Tour event this season, his best run to date, while Barney defeated Brendan Dolan 6-3 in his opener to bolster his hopes of World Matchplay and European Championship qualification.
World Champion and world number one Michael Smith starts his quest for back-to-back Euro Tour titles with a tie against emerging German star Ricardo Pietreczko – quarter-finalist in this year’s European Darts Open.
Former UK Open champion Danny Noppert faces a formidable opening test against Masters champion Chris Dobey – who averaged 101 in his First Round victory over Vítězslav Sedlák.
Two-time World Champion Peter Wright aims to spoil the party in Premstätten by knocking out home favourite Mensur Suljovic – the most decorated Austrian darter of all-time.
Top seed Luke Humphries faces a tough opener against two-time major champion Daryl Gurney – who dispatched Stephen Bunting 6-3 in Round One.
Man of the moment Dirk van Duijvenbode, the most successful player away from the TV cameras this season, begins his bid to reach a second Euro Tour final of the season when he faces Ryan Meikle – who saw off home hero Rowby-John Rodriguez in Round One.
German number two Martin Schindler starts out against World Cup of Darts winner Simon Whitlock – who conquered Kim Huybrechts 6-3 on opening night despite a plethora of missed doubles.
The action gets under way from 12pm BST, with Second Round matches to be contested over the best of 11 legs.
WATCH THE AUSTRIAN DARTS OPEN STREAMED LIVE HERE
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Austrian Darts Open 2023 Day Two Schedule
All times BST (Local time one hour ahead)
Saturday April 22
Second Round
Afternoon Session (12pm-4pm)
Andrew Gilding v Matt Campbell
Josh Rock v Krzysztof Ratajski
Dave Chisnall v Mickey Mansell
Damon Heta v Luke Woodhouse
Rob Cross v Maik Kuivenhoven
Joe Cullen v Nick Kenny
Nathan Aspinall v Hannes Schnier
Jonny Clayton v Jelle Klaasen
Evening Session (6pm-10pm)
Danny Noppert v Chris Dobey
Dirk van Duijvenbode v Ryan Meikle
Ryan Searle v Raymond van Barneveld
Peter Wright v Mensur Suljovic
Luke Humphries v Daryl Gurney
Michael Smith v Ricardo Pietreczko
Michael van Gerwen v John Henderson
Martin Schindler v Simon Whitlock
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