Gabriel Clemens comeback stuns Simon Whitlock at the International Darts Open
Home hero Gabriel Clemens battled back from 5-2 down to edge out Simon Whitlock in a deciding leg on Day One of the International Darts Open in Riesa.
The opening day of this weekend’s landmark event – the 100th in PDC European Tour history – saw Clemens among 16 players to progress to Saturday’s Second Round at the Sachsenarena.
Whitlock had fired in six 180s in the opening seven legs to establish a commanding lead, before Clemens responded with legs of 13, 14 and 13 darts and punished a poor final leg from Australia’s World Cup winner to complete the comeback.
Clemens was one of four German players to prevail on the opening day, with Niko Springer, Florian Hempel and 18-year-old Liam Maendl-Lawrance also celebrating success on home soil.
Springer delighted the home crowd by averaging 99 and landing four maximums to topple Scott Williams, which sets up a showdown with Premier League star Dimitri Van den Bergh.
Hempel punished a staggering 20 missed darts at double from James Wilson to come through a scrappy affair, while Maendl-Lawrance dumped out Welsh veteran Richie Burnett on his European Tour debut.
Pascal Rupprecht was unable to make it five wins from five for the Host Nation representatives, succumbing 6-3 to an impressive Brendan Dolan in the afternoon session.
Andrew Gilding marked his first big stage appearance since his UK Open success with victory over two-time TV title winner Daryl Gurney, averaging almost 101 to advance in a high-quality encounter.
“It didn’t feel like a ton-plus average, so I’m happy with that,” reflected Gilding, who also pinned six of his nine double attempts.
“It was a great feeling to be introduced as UK Open champion. It’s fantastic.
“I still can’t quite believe it myself. I don’t know what’s changed, but I seem to be getting those wins when I need to. That’s the difference.”
Five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld took advantage of his late call-up by defeating Stephen Burton 6-3 with the aid of a 157 checkout.
Germany’s number two Martin Schindler awaits Van Barneveld in round two, after the Dutch veteran landed a quartet of 14-darters and produced a stunning 157 checkout to cap off a solid display.
European Champion Ross Smith will play reigning champion Gerwyn Price in Round Two after firing in five 180s to account for Finnish debutant Paavo Myller.
Lee Evans enjoyed a winning return on his first European Tour appearance for eight years, averaging 99 and converting 60% of his double attempts to dump out Kim Huybrechts in a last-leg thriller.
Huybrechts’ compatriots Mike De Decker, Mario Vandenbogaerde and Brian Raman all progressed to Saturday’s Second Round – where they will join Belgian number one Van den Bergh.
De Decker received a late call-up to Riesa following Luke Humphries’ withdrawal, and he capitalised on his unexpected lifeline by punishing a lacklustre display from Callan Rydz to progress.
Vandenbogaerde ran out a 6-4 winner against Latvia’s Madars Razma, while Raman reeled off four straight legs to dispatch Ryan Meikle, sealing the deal with a 132 checkout on the bull.
Ian White was left to rue a costly mid-game slump in his first round tie against Jose Justicia – who reeled off five straight legs from 4-1 down to set up a tie against Peter Wright.
Matt Campbell also completed a fine comeback, defying two ton-plus checkouts from Keegan Brown to win four straight legs and move through to a meeting with top seed Michael van Gerwen.
Alan Soutar opened Friday’s action with a 6-4 success against Jeroen Mioch, while Steve Lennon defeated Andy Boulton by the same scoreline to clinch his first European Tour victory of 2023.
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International Darts Open 2023 Day One Results
All times BST (Local time one hour ahead)
Friday March 31
First Round
Afternoon Session (12pm-4pm)
Jeroen Mioch 4-6 Alan Soutar
Steve Lennon 6-4 Andy Boulton
Mario Vandenbogaerde 6-4 Madars Razma
Brian Raman 6-2 Ryan Meikle
Brendan Dolan 6-3 Pascal Rupprecht
Ian White 4-6 Jose Justicia
Keegan Brown 4-6 Matt Campbell
Richie Burnett 4-6 Liam Maendl-Lawrance
Evening Session (6pm-10pm)
Kim Huybrechts 5-6 Lee Evans
Niko Springer 6-4 Scott Williams
Callan Rydz 3-6 Mike De Decker
Andrew Gilding 6-4 Daryl Gurney
Florian Hempel 6-4 James Wilson
Ross Smith 6-3 Paavo Myller
Raymond van Barneveld 6-3 Stephen Burton
Gabriel Clemens 6-5 Simon Whitlock
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