Gerwyn Price denies Lewy Williams at the German Darts Open as Beaton beats Aspinall

Gerwyn Price was among the seeded players to progress to the Third Round of the 2022 German Darts Open in Jena on Saturday, while Steve Beaton knocked out Nathan Aspinall.

World number one Price reeled off three consecutive legs from 4-3 down to defeat Lewy Williams in an entertaining all-Welsh encounter.

Williams started superbly, firing in six 180s, a ten-darter and a 142 checkout, but Price’s experience paid dividends as the second seed claimed three legs without reply to seal his spot in the Last 16.

“Lewy was banging in 180s on his throw and putting me under pressure,” admitted Price, who will now face home favourite Martin Schindler on Sunday.

“Thankfully I had that 3-1 lead, because I needed it towards the end. Lewy is a fantastic player, and with more experience I’m sure he will be able to finish off games like this.”

Schindler maintained German hopes with a battling 6-3 win over Dutch qualifier Danny van Trijp, with a two-dart 90 combination sandwiched between 14 and 13-dart legs in the latter stages.

Former World Champion Beaton rolled back the years to record a crucial win over Aspinall, punishing a profligate display from last weekend’s semi-finalist in Hungary to complete a 6-4 success.

Reigning World Champion Peter Wright overcame five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld in a topsy-turvy affair at the Sparkassen-Arena to secure his first victory since returning from gallstones surgery last month.

Van Barneveld recovered from a sluggish start to restore parity at three apiece, only for Wright to reel off the last three legs in 15, 13 and 15 darts to advance with a 99.8 average.

“I got a bit emotional last week, but it’s great to be back in front of these amazing fans,” said Wright.

“Raymond is absolutely fantastic. He’s a great guy and he’ll be back, but the most important thing is that I’m in the next round.”

Wright now takes on Jonny Clayton in a blockbuster Last 16 tie, after the New South Wales Masters winner fought back from 4-3 down to defeat compatriot Jim Williams, following up a 116 finish with a 13-darter to complete the turnaround.

Top seed Luke Humphries began his campaign with a 6-3 win over Sweden’s Daniel Larsson, opening up proceedings with legs of 13 and 11 darts before converting a clinical 111 finish in the penultimate leg to progress.

Last week’s Hungarian Darts Trophy winner Joe Cullen produced a sensational 136 checkout to complete a thrilling deciding-leg win over Joe Murnan, having also taken out 141 and 116 finishes earlier in the game.

Reigning European Champion Rob Cross underlined his credentials with a thumping 6-1 victory over Martin Lukeman in the evening’s finale, winning six consecutive legs to triumph with a 100.5 average.

Jose De Sousa fired in six perfect darts in the closing stages of his tie against host nation qualifier Dragutin Horvat to prevail 6-4.

Daryl Gurney converted a stunning 164 checkout in the opening leg of his 6-3 win over Dirk van Duijvenbode, before registering back-to-back 180s to seal his progression with a brilliant 11-darter.

Ross Smith defied a spirited fightback from UK Open Champion Danny Noppert – who hit back from 4-0 down to force a last-leg decider – conjuring up a 13-dart hold to triumph in a high-quality tussle.

Fifth seed Damon Heta awaits Smith on Sunday, after the Australian number one averaged 101.32, posted four maximums and landed two ton-plus finishes to dispatch Alan Soutar 6-2.

Dimitri Van den Bergh produced an impressive display of power scoring in his opener, rattling in six 180s to wrap up a resounding 6-2 victory over David Evans.

The Belgian will now face Luke Woodhouse, who advanced to the Last 16 for the second successive weekend after inflicting Ryan Searle’s third consecutive defeat on the European Tour stage.

Dave Chisnall continued his fine form to ease past former World Youth Champion Bradley Brooks on Saturday afternoon, and he will meet Humphries in a mouth-watering third round fixture.

Krzysztof Ratajski produced a 13-dart leg to edge out Geert Nentjes and preserve his European Championship qualification hopes, and third seed Cross now awaits the Polish number one on Sunday afternoon.

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German Darts Open 2022 Day Two Results

Saturday September 10

Second Round

Afternoon Session
Ryan Searle 3-6 Luke Woodhouse
Jose de Sousa 6-4 Dragutin Horvat
Krzysztof Ratajski 6-5 Geert Nentjes
Dimitri Van den Bergh 6-2 David Evans
Danny Noppert 5-6 Ross Smith
Dave Chisnall 6-2 Bradley Brooks
Nathan Aspinall 4-6 Steve Beaton
Dirk van Duijvenbode 3-6 Daryl Gurney

Evening Session
Damon Heta 6-2 Alan Soutar
Luke Humphries 6-3 Daniel Larsson
Joe Cullen 6-5 Joe Murnan
Peter Wright 6-3 Raymond van Barneveld
Gerwyn Price 6-4 Lewy Williams
Martin Schindler 6-3 Danny van Trijp
Jonny Clayton 6-4 Jim Williams
Rob Cross 6-1 Martin Lukeman