Nine-dart Dave Chisnall ends title drought at the 2022 Belgian Darts Open

Dave Chisnall ended a three-year wait for a PDC ranking title at the 2022 Belgian Darts Open courtesy of an 8-6 victory over Andrew Gilding in the final.

Chisnall, whose other European Tour titles had come in 2013 and 2019, enjoyed a memorable final day at in Wieze as he landed a sensational nine-darter en route to claiming glory.

The St Helens ace denied Gilding a maiden PDC ranking title as he battled his way over the line in a tense final to clinch the £25,000 top prize.

“It’s very special,” said an emotional Chisnall. “Any tournament you win is special but this one means even more after a tough year personally.

“I lost my mum last year, I had a terrible year but I’m coming back. I’ll see more trophies in my cabinet.

“I’ve been saying for the last six or seven weeks that this has been coming and this weekend it happened.

“The final was one of those games where we were both trying too hard to win a big tournament. Luckily for me that double 19 went in. I’m so happy.”

Chisnall had produced a 112 checkout on his way to establishing a 4-2 lead in the final and converted double one to move within a leg of the title at 7-4.

Gilding, however, hit back with tops and a 136 checkout to trail by one, but Chisnall held throw on double 19 to avert the need for a decider and return to the winner’s enclosure.

The six-time televised finalist had thrilled the packed Oktoberhallen crowd with a nine-dart finish, the first on the Euro Tour since his own effort in 2019, during his Semi-Final win over Danny Noppert.

Chisnall ended the match with a 104 average, having seen off both Nathan Aspinall and Jose de Sousa earlier in the day.

Gilding’s continued strong form in 2022 sees him confirm his place in next month’s World Grand Prix, as well as a debut appearance in the European Championship.

Having defeated Belgian number one Dimitri Van den Bergh in Saturday’s Second Round, Gilding overcame Niels Zonneveld, Martin Schindler and Jonny Clayton to reach a first European Tour final.

Hopes of a Belgian winner were ended in the Last 16 as Kim Huybrechts – who defeated Michael van Gerwen in Round Two – went down 6-1 to Adrian Lewis.

German duo Gabriel Clemens and Martin Schindler fell at the Quarter-Final stage alongside Lewis and De Sousa.

Belgian Darts Open 2022 Day Three Results

Sunday September 25

Afternoon Session

Third Round
Niels Zonneveld 3-6 Andrew Gilding
Rusty-Jake Rodriguez 3-6 Martin Schindler
Dirk Van Duijvenbode 4-6 Jonny Clayton
Rob Cross 3-6 Gabriel Clemens
Ryan Searle 4-6 Jose de Sousa
Nathan Aspinall 4-6 Dave Chisnall
Joe Cullen 4-6 Danny Noppert
Kim Huybrechts 1-6 Adrian Lewis

Evening Session

Quarter-Finals
Andrew Gilding 6-2 Martin Schindler
Jonny Clayton 6-5 Gabriel Clemens
Dave Chisnall 6-2 Jose de Sousa
Danny Noppert 6-3 Adrian Lewis

Semi-Finals
Andrew Gilding 7-5 Jonny Clayton
Dave Chisnall 7-4 Danny Noppert – *Chisnall hits a nine-darter*

Final
Dave Chisnall 8-6 Andrew Gilding

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