Krzysztof Ratajski romps to German Darts Open title
Krzysztof Ratajski sealed his second European Tour title at the German Darts Open with an 8-3 rout of Stephen Bunting in the final in Jena on Sunday.
Ratajski, whose initial triumph came at the 2019 Gibraltar Darts Trophy, ended a four-year wait for glory thanks to a series of superb performances at the Sparkassen Arena.
Poland’s number one has enjoyed a welcome return to form this year, and after celebrating his seventh Players Championship title back in April, he scooped the £30,000 top prize in Jena to move into double digits for PDC titles.
Ratajski’s route to victory began with an impressive 6-3 success against Ricky Evans on Saturday, and he continued his charge with an emphatic 6-2 win over top seed Dave Chisnall in the Last 16.
The 46-year-old then ran out a convincing 6-3 winner against Danny Noppert in the Quarter-Finals, before seeing off Josh Rock 7-4 in the Semi-Finals.
There was nothing to separate the pair after six legs, but Ratajski hit top gear at the crucial time, following up a 126 checkout on the bull with legs of 13, 14 and 14 darts to end Rock’s latest quest for a maiden Euro Tour title.
Ahead of the final, Ratajski landed a nine-dart finish with his warm-up darts, and he made a dream start to the contest, racing into a 4-0 lead with the aid of a 128 checkout in leg two.
Bunting paid the price for squandering nine darts at double in the opening exchanges, although a crucial 90 finish in leg five saw him get off the mark.
However, after ‘The Bullet’ missed double 11 for a 102 checkout in leg seven, Ratajski restored his three-leg advantage with a crucial hold, before landing a 12-darter to move further ahead.
The former World Matchplay semi-finalist then converted a 105 checkout to move to the cusp of victory in leg ten, and he pinned double eight moments later to cap off a terrific victory.
“I have waited for this moment for four years,” reflected Ratajski.
“I am delighted. I didn’t expect it, because in the last two or three months I haven’t played well, but this weekend I played better.
“Stephen missed a few very important doubles early on. I took those legs and that gave me the confidence to play well.
“This win puts me into the top 16 on the ProTour Order of Merit. That was my target this year, so now I must find another target!”
Bunting was denied his first big-stage title in the PDC but enjoyed a tournament to remember, having notably survived eight match darts in his Second Round win over Joe Cullen on Saturday.
The 38-year-old brushed aside Martin Schindler to end home hopes in the Last 16, before coming through two more deciding-leg tussles against Andrew Gilding and Wesley Plaisier later in the day.
“The quick turnaround caught me out a bit but full credit to Krzysztof – he was fantastic,” admitted Bunting.
“I threw everything at him, I gave it my all, but congratulations to Krzysztof, he was the deserved winner.
“To make a European Tour final on my first outing with my new darts, I’m chuffed to bits.
“The crowd got me through a few games this weekend. The support has been absolutely phenomenal, and I can’t wait to come back to Germany and play in front of this wonderful crowd again.”
Plaisier, meanwhile, equalled the best performance by an Associate Member Qualifier on the European Tour – registering a series of major scalps to progress to a first PDC ranking Semi-Final.
The Dutchman accounted for European Champion Ross Smith and third seed Luke Humphries on his way to the Last Eight – where he eased past Brian Raman to break new ground.
Plaisier was joined in the Semi-Finals by Rock, who secured deciding-leg wins over Ryan Searle and Dirk van Duijvenbode on Sunday, rallying from 5-2 down to deny the Dutchman in a thriller.
Van Duijvenbode was left to rue wiring two match darts against the Northern Irishman, as he crashed out at the Quarter-Final stage alongside his compatriot and World Cup partner Noppert.
UK Open champion Gilding also exited in the Last Eight alongside Belgium’s Raman – who stunned World Matchplay champion Nathan Aspinall to reach his first PDC ranking Quarter-Final.
German Darts Open 2023 Day Three Results
Sunday September 10
Third Round
Afternoon Session
Krzysztof Ratajski 6-2 Dave Chisnall
Danny Noppert 6-4 Cameron Menzies
Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-3 Jose de Sousa
Josh Rock 6-5 Ryan Searle
Andrew Gilding 6-3 Florian Hempel
Stephen Bunting 6-1 Martin Schindler
Wesley Plaisier 6-5 Luke Humphries
Brian Raman 6-4 Nathan Aspinall
Evening Session
Quarter-Finals
Krzysztof Ratajski 6-3 Danny Noppert
Josh Rock 6-5 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Stephen Bunting 6-5 Andrew Gilding
Wesley Plaisier 6-3 Brian Raman
Semi-Finals
Krzysztof Ratajski 7-4 Josh Rock
Stephen Bunting 7-6 Wesley Plaisier
Final
Krzysztof Ratajski 8-3 Stephen Bunting
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