Gary Anderson sees off Ryan Searle at the Belgian Darts Open as Clemens comeback halts Wright
Gary Anderson charged into the Third Round of the Belgian Darts Open following a 6-2 win over Ryan Searle in Wieze on Saturday.
Anderson, appearing in only his second European Tour event since 2016, continued his charge by averaging almost 105 in defeating his regular practice partner at the Oktoberhallen.
The two-time World Champion was one of four qualifiers to reach the Last 16 on Day Two of the season’s seventh Euro Tour event.
Anderson drew first blood with a majestic 140 checkout, setting the tone for a dominant display which also saw him land four maximums and convert six of his nine attempts at double.
The Scot will now face sixth seed Rob Cross in a battle of the former World Champions, after ‘Voltage’ reeled off five consecutive legs from 4-1 down to deny Switzerland’s Stefan Bellmont.
Dave Chisnall began his defence of the 2023 Blåkläder Belgian Darts Open title in impressive style on Saturday, as Josh Rock came agonisingly close to a spectacular nine-darter in Wieze.
Reigning champion Dave Chisnall commenced his quest for a second for a third Euro Tour title of 2023 with a 6-2 success against Ricky Evans.
Evans whitewashed home favourite Kim Huybrechts in Friday’s opening round, but was unable to repeat the feat against second seed Chisnall, who posted a ton-topping average to advance.
Chisnall will now take on Austrian Open runner-up Josh Rock for a place in the Last Eight, after the Northern Irishman produced a remarkable display to dispatch Premier League star Chris Dobey 6-2.
Rock missed double 12 for a nine-darter in the penultimate leg of his clash against the Masters champion, and he began the next leg with seven perfect darts to prevail with a 107 average to Dobey’s 104.
Top seed Luke Humphries and three-time World Champion Michael van Gerwen booked their places in the Last 16 with deciding-leg wins over Bradley Brooks and Jose de Sousa respectively.
Humphries defied a trio of ton-plus finishes from former World Youth Champion Brooks to triumph with a 102 average, while Van Gerwen also averaged in three figures to deny De Sousa, sealing the deal with a 12-darter.
Peter Wright was dumped out in similar fashion by an inspired Gabriel Clemens – who recovered from 5-2 down to advance with a 103 average, featuring a trio of 13-darters in the closing stages.
Clemens’ reward is a Last 16 showdown with World Champion Michael Smith – who averaged 102 to continue his winning run and end the hopes of Belgium’s number one Dimitri Van den Bergh.
Andy Baetens is the solitary Belgian left standing in Wieze, and the Host Nation Qualifier kicked off Saturday’s second round action with a 6-2 demolition of UK Open champion Andrew Gilding.
Baetens moved through to the last 16 of a European Tour event for the first time alongside Canada’s Matt Campbell, who averaged 103 and converted a stunning 167 checkout to close out a 6-3 win over Joe Cullen.
Dirk van Duijvenbode defied his injury concerns to claim a first career victory over his darting idol Raymond van Barneveld, punishing his fellow countryman’s doubling woes to record a 6-3 success.
Van Duijvenbode will be joined in Round Three by his compatriot Danny Noppert, as the former UK Open champion won through a hard-fought affair against former World Youth champion Ted Evetts.
Noppert will now play eighth seed Nathan Aspinall in Sunday afternoon’s third round, after the Stockport star pinned six of his eight attempts at double to record a 6-1 drubbing of Martijn Kleermaker.
Jonny Clayton began his bid for a second European Tour title of 2023 with a 6-3 win over Keane Barry, producing 130 and 161 checkouts to progress with a ton-topping average.
Clayton will take on fourth seed Damon Heta for a place in the Quarter-Finals, after the Australian number one defeated Dutch qualifier Damian Mol by the same scoreline.
Martin Schindler also made serene progress at the Oktoberhallen, capitalising on a below-par display from Daryl Gurney to close out a comprehensive 6-1 victory.
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Belgian Darts Open 2023 Day Two Results
Saturday May 6
Second Round
Afternoon Session
Andrew Gilding 2-6 Andy Baetens
Rob Cross 6-4 Stefan Bellmont
Joe Cullen 3-6 Matt Campbell
Danny Noppert 6-4 Ted Evetts
Damon Heta 6-3 Damian Mol
Martin Schindler 6-1 Daryl Gurney
Ryan Searle 2-6 Gary Anderson
Jonny Clayton 6-3 Keane Barry
Evening Session
Nathan Aspinall 6-1 Martijn Kleermaker
Luke Humphries 6-5 Bradley Brooks
Dave Chisnall 6-2 Ricky Evans
Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-3 Raymond van Barneveld
Peter Wright 5-6 Gabriel Clemens
Michael van Gerwen 6-5 Jose De Sousa
Michael Smith 6-2 Dimitri van den Bergh
Josh Rock 6-2 Chris Dobey
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