Ricardo Pietreczko stuns Peter Wright at the European Darts Open
Ricardo Pietreczko pulled off a remarkable comeback to dump Peter Wright out of the European Darts Open in Leverkusen on Saturday.
Pietreczko looked to be heading for a swift exit on home soil in Germany when he trailed 5-1, but six missed match darts from Wright gifted his opponent a route back into the match.
Wright fired in finishes of 111, 100 and 86 to move within a leg of victory, but failed to see it out as Pietreczko produced a roof-raising 152 checkout en route to reeling off five consecutive legs to complete a memorable triumph.
Day Two of the year’s second European Tour event saw the 16 seeded players enter the fray at the Ostermann Arena, with Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price the most impressive performers.
Van Gerwen averaged 108.2 in defeating five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld in a battle of the Dutch legends, landing four maximums en route to a 6-4 success.
“You can never underestimate Raymond van Barneveld,” said the reigning champion. “Raymond is a fantastic player. You have to play well if you want to beat him, and I’m glad I did tonight.
“This is the first good game I’ve played on the European Tour this year, so I feel good now.
“Raymond said playing against me is like El Clasico, and I admire that. He’s had to battle really hard over the last year, but most importantly I’m still in the tournament, and that’s what I want.”
Van Gerwen will now take on Premier League rival Dimitri Van den Bergh in a repeat of last year’s final, after the Belgian averaged 104.4 to celebrate a 6-2 rout of James Wade.
Price continued his blistering form to win through a last-leg thriller against a resurgent Krzysztof Ratajski, recovering from 4-2 down to triumph with a 109 average.
Price, who averaged 115 to claim the Premier League spoils in Newcastle on Thursday, produced another imperious display to move through to a meeting with World Champion Michael Smith on Sunday.
“Everybody seems to find their A-game against me!” joked Price, who crashed in four 180s and converted half of his attempts at double to edge out Poland’s number one.
“I know how well my game is going. I played really well in the Premier League on Thursday and I’m enjoying my darts.
“I just need to take my chances and towards the end of the game thankfully I did. I slipped up early on and let Krzysztof get in front, but hopefully my good form continues.”
Smith defied a brief rally from Host Nation Qualifier Rene Eidams to close out a convincing 6-3 victory despite a modest average of 90.
Home favourite Martin Schindler also bowed out in Leverkusen, succumbing to a clinical William O’Connor, who converted a spectacular 160 checkout en route to a whitewash win.
Earlier in the day, Rob Cross produced a sensational display to secure his first win on the European Tour in 2023, averaging over 105 to dispatch Ryan Joyce 6-1 and book his place in the Last 16.
Dirk van Duijvenbode produced a flawless exhibition of finishing to see off Ted Evetts, averaging 104 and converting all six of his double attempts to set up a showdown against European Champion Ross Smith.
Smith came through a hard-fought contest against an out of sorts Joe Cullen to advance to the Last 16 with a 126 checkout in the process.
Jonny Clayton was another high-profile casualty to crash out on Saturday afternoon, as Suffolk star Ryan Meikle kept his cool to close out a 6-3 win over the Welshman.
Dave Chisnall and Danny Noppert will lock horns for a place in the Last Eight after sealing 6-2 wins over Jim Williams and Chris Dobey respectively.
Stephen Bunting made it back-to-back 6-5 victories this weekend to move through to the Last 16, recovering from 3-1 down to account for Ryan Searle in a topsy-turvy encounter.
Damon Heta kicked off the day with a 6-4 success against Andy Boulton, landing five 180s and defying a 170 checkout from the Scot to wrap up victory with a superb 143 finish.
Josh Rock tasted victory on his first European Tour appearance of the year, punishing a below-par display from Ian White to cruise through to Round Three.
Rock will now meet his compatriot Brendan Dolan – who received a Bye through to the last 16 after top seed Luke Humphries was forced to withdraw due to medical reasons.
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European Darts Open 2023 Day Two Results
Saturday March 25
Second Round
Afternoon Session
Damon Heta 6-4 Andy Boulton
Rob Cross 6-1 Ryan Joyce
Dave Chisnall 6-2 Jim Williams
Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-3 Ted Evetts
Joe Cullen 4-6 Ross Smith
Jonny Clayton 3-6 Ryan Meikle
Danny Noppert 6-2 Chris Dobey
Ryan Searle 5-6 Stephen Bunting
Evening Session
Gerwyn Price 6-5 Krzysztof Ratajski
Michael Smith 6-3 Rene Eidams
Peter Wright 5-6 Ricardo Pietreczko
Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Raymond van Barneveld
Dimitri Van den Bergh 6-2 James Wade
Martin Schindler 0-6 William O’Connor
Josh Rock 6-2 Ian White
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