Gian van Veen ousts Michael van Gerwen at the Flanders Darts Trophy as Weber dethrones Chisnall
Gian van Veen overcame his European Tour nemesis Michael van Gerwen to reach the Last 16 of the Flanders Darts Trophy in Antwerp on Saturday.
Van Gerwen had defeated his Dutch counterpart in two European Tour finals, but Van Veen gained revenge with a 6-3 success at the Antwerp Expo.
Van Gerwen had established a 3-1 lead, but only for the World Youth Champion to reel off five consecutive legs for a place in Sunday’s Third Round.
Meanwhile, world number 117 Leon Weber continued his landmark run by dispatching defending champion Dave Chisnall.
Weber had seen off Jermaine Wattimena in Friday’s opening round and followed up with an impressive 6-4 win over the tenth seed.
World Champion Luke Littler marked his first European Tour appearance since April with a 6-0 whitewash of Dylan Slevin.
Littler, who began the year by winning the Belgian Darts Open in Wieze, produced another scintillating display on Belgian soil as he stormed to victory with a 101.3 average, four 180s and a perfect six from six on the doubles.
“When I came up on stage, it just felt like home,” said Littler, who will now meet Ryan Searle in the Last 16.
“I love coming here. I’m glad to play well tonight and now I can focus on tomorrow.
“I want to win here, but it’s only my first game.
“Six out of six on the doubles, I don’t usually get that, so I’m very happy.”
Searle produced a stirring comeback from 4-1 down to deny Raymond van Barneveld in a deciding leg, surviving a match dart in the process as he clinched victory with a 100.4 average.
Veteran Mario Vandenbogaerde was the only Belgian to progress to the Last 16 as he held off a late revival from Jonny Clayton to seal a 6-3 scalp.
“Can you wake me up? I think I’m living in a dream,” said Vandenbogaerde. “Yesterday Michael Smith, now Jonny.
“I’m 52, I go to the oche and I tell myself to enjoy it.
“I hope tomorrow I can live another dream!”
Stephen Bunting also impressed in Antwerp, averaging 107 in an emphatic 6-1 rout of Joe Cullen to pick up from where he left off in winning Players Championship 25 on Tuesday.
James Wade eased past Antwerp-born Kim Huybrechts 6-3 despite an average of just 84, while German number one Martin Schindler saw off Mike De Decker 6-3 despite a 170 checkout from the Belgian number one.
World Cup of Darts winners Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney both edged through to Round Three with 6-5 wins over Karel Sedlacek and Ross Smith respectively, as both Northern Irishmen survived two match darts.
Mensur Suljovic fired in seven 180s and 60 per cent on the doubles during a high-quality affair against Rob Cross, with the Austrian icon prevailing 6-5 after surviving two match darts.
Luke Woodhouse romped to a 6-1 rout of a struggling Peter Wright, with the Scot averaging just 74.
Krzysztof Ratajski, who entered the tournament from the reserve list, averaged 98 to overcome Chris Dobey 6-3, while Danny Noppert converted all six of his attempts at doubles as he defeated fellow Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-4.
Eighth seed Damon Heta safely progressed to the Last 16 by virtue of a 6-3 success over Christian Kist.
Flanders Darts Trophy 2025 Day Two Results
Saturday August 30
Second Round
Afternoon Session
Rob Cross 5-6 Mensur Suljovic
Peter Wright 1-6 Luke Woodhouse
Dave Chisnall 4-6 Leon Weber
Josh Rock 6-5 Karel Sedlacek
Damon Heta 6-3 Christian Kist
Chris Dobey 3-6 Krzysztof Ratajski
Danny Noppert 6-4 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Evening Session
James Wade 6-3 Kim Huybrechts
Ryan Searle 6-5 Raymond van Barneveld
Ross Smith 5-6 Daryl Gurney
Stephen Bunting 6-1 Joe Cullen
Luke Littler 6-0 Dylan Slevin
Michael van Gerwen 3-6 Gian van Veen
Martin Schindler 6-3 Mike De Decker
Jonny Clayton 3-6 Mario Vandenbogaerde
