Belgian Darts Open 2023 | Day Two Preview and Order of Play
The top seeds begin their 2023 Belgian Darts Open campaigns on Saturday as the Second Round action commences in Wieze.
The seventh of 13 European Tour events this season features 48 players battling it out for £175,000 in prize money at the Oktoberhallen in Wieze from May 5-7.
Day One saw a host of big names bow out at the first hurdle, including James Wade, Krzysztof Ratajski and Ross Smith, and the 16 seeded stars will hope to avoid an early exit of their own.
The afternoon session features a stand-out clash between regular practice partners Ryan Searle and Gary Anderson.
Both players have a ProTour title under their belt this year, while Searle also reached the Semi-Finals of the Baltic Sea Darts Open and comes in to the event as the number 11 seed.
Anderson ended his Euro Tour sabbatical by qualifying for the Dutch Darts Championship last weekend, only to suffer a shock early defeat to Czech qualifier Roman Benecky, but bounced back at the first time of asking by thrashing an out of sorts Ratajski 6-1 on Friday.
Austrian Open champion Jonny Clayton, runner-up in Thursday’s Premier League Night 14 in Manchester, starts his quest for glory with a tie against Keane Barry – twice a quarter-finalist on the Euro Tour this season.
Former World Champion Rob Cross remains one of the most decorated players yet to land a Euro Tour title, and ‘Voltage’ resumes his pursuit of silverware with a tie against Switzerland’s Stefan Bellmont – who defeated Robert Owen to reach this stage for the first time.
Former Masters champion and Premier League finalist Joe Cullen comes up against Canadian ace Matt Campbell – who saw off Callan Rydz in Round One.
Reigning UK Open champion Andrew Gilding, who finished runner-up here a year ago, opens up against WDF number one Andy Baetens – the Belgian star who knocked out Jermaine Wattimena to register his first win in a PDC ranking tournament.
Danny Noppert, twice a Euro Tour finalist last season, takes on former World Youth champion Ted Evetts, while fourth seed Damon Heta comes up against Damian Mol – who recovered from 4-0 down to stun Jeff Smith in a deciding leg on Friday.
Two players to have reached a Euro Tour Semi-Final this season go head-to-head as 14th seed Martin Schindler meets a resurgent Daryl Gurney.
The evening session includes a mouth-watering encounter between Dutch stars Dirk van Duijvenbode and Raymond van Barneveld.
Van Duijvenbode was runner-up in the European Darts Open in March and has picked up three Players Championship titles this year, while five-time World Champion Van Barneveld saw off Wade 6-3 in his opener and is looking to maintain his dominant record over his former protégé.
Dave Chisnall kicks off the defence of his title with a tie against former Euro Tour event finalist Ricky Evans.
Chizzy is bidding for back-to-back titles following last weekend’s triumph in Leeuwarden, but faces a rejuvenated Evans – who whitewashed home favourite Kim Huybrechts in Round One.
World number one and World Champion Michael Smith aims to pick up from where he left off in securing a second successive Premier League weekly title when he meets fellow Premier League star Dimitri van den Bergh.
Smith secured his qualification for the play-offs on Thursday and has also claimed the German Darts Grand Prix title this term, while Van den Bergh will look to delight a sell-out home crowd by following up his ruthless 6-1 victory over Ian White on Friday.
Last weekend’s Dutch Championship runner-up Luke Humphries starts his quest to go one better in Wieze when he faces former World Youth champion Bradley Brooks – who saw off Richard Veenstra in his opener.
Josh Rock, runner-up at the Austrian Open a fortnight ago, faces a tough opening test against Masters champion and Premier League star Chris Dobey in another unmissable contest.
Michael van Gerwen, whose most recent Euro Tour title came on this weekend 12 months ago at the European Darts Open, looks to get his latest title pursuit off to a strong start at the expense of former Grand Slam champion Jose De Sousa.
Two-time World Champion Peter Wright, who sits rock bottom of the Premier League table, is handed a formidable opener against German number one Gabriel Clemens – the man who knocked him out of the 2020/21 World Championship.
Nathan Aspinall, runner-up in last month’s German Darts Grand Prix, opens up against Martijn Kleermaker – who dumped out European Champion Ross Smith in Round One.
The action gets under way from 12pm BST, with Second Round matches to be contested over the best of 11 legs.
WATCH THE BELGIAN DARTS OPEN STREAMED LIVE
18+ | T&Cs Apply | Geo Restrictions may apply | Gamble Aware
Belgian Darts Open 2023 Day Two Schedule
All times BST (Local time one hour ahead)
Saturday May 6
Second Round
Afternoon Session (12pm-4pm)
Andrew Gilding v Andy Baetens
Rob Cross v Stefan Bellmont
Joe Cullen v Matt Campbell
Danny Noppert v Ted Evetts
Damon Heta v Damian Mol
Martin Schindler v Daryl Gurney
Ryan Searle v Gary Anderson
Jonny Clayton v Keane Barry
Evening Session (6pm-10pm)
Nathan Aspinall v Martijn Kleermaker
Luke Humphries v Bradley Brooks
Dave Chisnall v Ricky Evans
Dirk van Duijvenbode v Raymond van Barneveld
Peter Wright v Gabriel Clemens
Michael van Gerwen v Jose De Sousa
Michael Smith v Dimitri van den Bergh
Josh Rock v Chris Dobey
Latest Free Bet Offers (18+)
Sky Bet New Customer offer: Get £30 in Free Bets when you place any first bet
CLICK HERE TO CLAIM THIS OFFER
*New customers only. First single or E/W bet only. 5p minimum stake. 3x £10 Bet Tokens. Free Bet Stakes not included in returns. Free Bets exclude virtuals and are non-withdrawable. Eligibility restrictions and further T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org
Bet UK New Customer offer: Bet £10 and Get £30 in Free Bets
CLICK HERE TO CLAIM THIS OFFER
Full T&Cs apply. New customers on mobile only. 7 days to claim and stake £10 minimum bet at odds of 1.5 or greater to qualify. Free, void, cashed out or partially cashed out bets do not qualify. Max 3x £10 free bets credited on bet settlement. Free bets must be used on 4 or more selections with selection odds of 1.3 or greater. Free bets are non-withdrawable, and stake not returned with winnings. 7 day expiry. 18+. GambleAware.org.
Unibet welcome offer: Money back as bonus up to £40 if your first bet loses
CLICK HERE TO CLAIM THIS OFFER
18+. GambleAware.org. New customers only. Min Dep £10. Debit cards only. Opt in for bonus funds. Wagering, sportsbook 3x at min. odds of 1.40 (2/5), casino 50x. Sports bonus must be wagered before using the casino bonus. Valid for 7 days. Geographical Restrictions and T&Cs Apply.
