Gary Anderson returns to winning ways on the European Tour at the Belgian Darts Open
Gary Anderson secured his first win on the European Tour for seven years by thrashing Krzysztof Ratajski 6-1 in Round One of the Belgian Darts Open in Wieze.
Anderson, who ended his Euro Tour sabbatical by qualifying for the Dutch Darts Championship, saw his return abruptly ended by Czech qualifier Roman Benecky last weekend.
The two-time World Champion, however, bounced back at the first time of asking by powering past an out of sorts Ratajski at the Oktoberhallen.
The Scot averaged 98.4 and fired in five 180s en route to a commanding win over the Polish number one to set up a Second Round tie with his regular practice partner Ryan Searle.
Elsewhere, Ricky Evans pulled off an emphatic 6-0 whitewash of home favourite Kim Huybrechts with a 99 average and six from eight on the doubles to silence the partisan Belgian crowd.
Raymond van Barneveld avenged his defeat to James Wade in the opening Euro Tour event of the season by battling his way to a 6-3 victory in their heavyweight clash.
Dimitri van den Bergh delighted his home crowd by thrashing Ian White 6-1 to set up a Second Round show-down with world number one Michael Smith on Saturday.
WDF number one Andy Baetens secured his first win in a PDC ranking tournament by overcoming Jermaine Wattimena 6-3 with six from nine on the doubles.
Martijn Kleermaker took advantage of a below-par Ross Smith to knock out the reigning European Champion 6-4 despite an average of 86.
Damian Mol staged an unlikely recovery from 4-0 down to stun Canadian ace Jeff Smith in a last-leg decider, while former World Youth champion Bradley Brooks enjoyed an impressive 6-3 win over Dutch ace Richard Veenstra.
Premier League star Chris Dobey safely saw off debutant Czech qualifier Dalibor Smolik 6-3, while Keane Barry thrashed Associate Member qualifier Sven Hilling 6-1.
Canada’s Matt Campbell avenged his defeat to Callan Rydz in Munich last month by prevailing 6-3 in their rematch, while a resurgent Daryl Gurney dispatched Irish youngster Dylan Slevin 6-3.
Switzerland’s Stefan Bellmont recorded his first win on the European Tour at the expense of Welshman Robert Owen, as German number one Gabriel Clemens ruthlessly whitewashed Graham Usher 6-0 with a high checkout of 148 along the way.
Ted Evetts eased his way to a 6-2 success over Sweden’s Dennis Nilsson, while Jose De Sousa came from 2-0 down to deny Host Nation qualifier François Schweyen 6-3.
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Belgian Darts Open 2023 Day One Results
Friday May 5
First Round
Afternoon Session
Bradley Brooks 6-3 Richard Veenstra
Dennis Nilsson 2-6 Ted Evetts
Jeff Smith 5-6 Damian Mol
Sven Hilling 1-6 Keane Barry
Gabriel Clemens 6-0 Graham Usher
François Schweyen 3-6 Jose De Sousa
Robert Owen 4-6 Stefan Bellmont
Jermaine Wattimena 3-6 Andy Baetens
Evening Session
Callan Rydz 3-6 Matt Campbell
Daryl Gurney 6-3 Dylan Slevin
Martijn Kleermaker 6-4 Ross Smith
Gary Anderson 6-1 Krzysztof Ratajski
James Wade 3-6 Raymond van Barneveld
Kim Huybrechts 0-6 Ricky Evans
Dalibor Smolik 3-6 Chris Dobey
Dimitri Van den Bergh 6-1 Ian White
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