Krzysztof Kciuk thrashes Rob Cross on Day One of the International Darts Open

Krzysztof Kciuk pulled off a sensational 6-1 scalp of Rob Cross in Round One of the 2022 International Darts Open in Riesa on Friday.

Reigning European Champion Cross had been bidding to open his account on the European Tour in this weekend’s £140,000 tournament at the Sachsenarena.

However, the 2018 World Champion was punished for nine missed darts at doubles by Poland’s Kciuk, who reeled off five straight legs from one-all to progress to a Second Round tie with Jonny Clayton on Saturday.

Dimitri Van den Bergh impressed as he began his own bid to claim a maiden European Tour title with a 6-2 defeat of Martin Lukeman.

The former World Matchplay champion averaged 101.4 and finished six doubles from nine attempts as he moved through to meet Mensur Suljovic.

Ritchie Edhouse will take on world number one Gerwyn Price after defeating a below-par Ryan Searle 6-4, producing a 157 checkout on his way to an impressive win.

Luke Woodhouse’s 6-2 defeat of Andy Boulton means that he faces World Champion Peter Wright in Round Two, while Irish youngster Keane Barry now faces 32-time European Tour event winner Michael van Gerwen following a dominant defeat of Ron Meulenkamp by the same scoreline.

Youngster Nico Kurz claimed a 6-3 win in his all-German tie with Gabriel Clemens to move through to a meeting with Dirk van Duijvenbode.

A 170 checkout from Jermaine Wattimena was not enough to prevent the Dutchman from falling to a 6-2 loss against Germany’s Niko Springer – who now plays Brendan Dolan.

Kim Huybrechts and Daryl Gurney ended the hopes of German pair Florian Hempel and Fabian Schmutzler respectively as they safely moved into the Last 32.

Australia’s Simon Whitlock powered through to a Second Round clash with World Championship finalist Michael Smith by whitewashing Dragutin Horvat – who missed two darts to win the game’s opening leg before being denied another dart at a double in the contest.

Latvia’s Madars Razma now takes on top seed Joe Cullen following his 6-4 win over Wayne Jones, while Dutchman Vincent van der Voort averaged 104 in a 6-3 win over Adam Gawlas to set up a tie with UK Open champion James Wade.

New PDC Tour Card Holder Brian Raman progressed to a second round date with Jose de Sousa by defeating Host Nation Qualifier David Schlichting 6-3 in the event’s opening tie.

Canada’s Jeff Smith shrugged off a 35-hour journey to Germany which had seen him only arrive in Riesa on Friday evening to enjoy a 6-4 win over Danny van Trijp.

Smith will now play Nathan Aspinall, who makes his first appearance since the World Championship following treatment for a wrist problem in recent weeks.

Former European Tour event winner Mervyn King will play Danny Noppert in Round Two after seeing off Hungary’s Janos Vegso 6-3, while Lewy Williams’ 6-4 win over Sweden’s Dennis Nilsson sets up a meeting with Krzysztof Ratajski.

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International Darts Open 2022 Day One Results

All times GMT (Local time one hour ahead)

Friday February 25

First Round

Afternoon Session (12pm-4pm)
David Schlichting 3-6 Brian Raman
Jermaine Wattimena 4-6 Niko Springer
Madars Razma 6-4 Wayne Jones
Fabian Schmutzler 2-6 Daryl Gurney
Adam Gawlas 3-6 Vincent van der Voort
Luke Woodhouse 6-2 Andy Boulton
Keane Barry 6-2 Ron Meulenkamp
Ryan Searle 4-6 Ritchie Edhouse

Evening Session (6pm-10pm)
Lewy Williams 6-4 Dennis Nilsson
Mervyn King 6-3 Janos Vegso
Florian Hempel 3-6 Kim Huybrechts
Dimitri Van den Bergh 6-2 Martin Lukeman
Rob Cross 1-6 Krzysztof Kciuk
Gabriel Clemens 3-6 Nico Kurz
Simon Whitlock 6-0 Dragutin Horvat
Danny van Trijp 4-6 Jeff Smith