Martin Schindler pulled off a remarkable comeback to deny Ryan Searle in a deciding leg and clinch the inaugural Swiss Darts Trophy title in Basel on Sunday.
Searle looked to be heading for his first European Tour title when leading 7-4, but only to squander a combined total of seven match darts and gift Schindler his second Euro Tour title of the year.
Having also claimed glory at the International Darts Open in April, Schindler becomes the first German to pick up multiple European Tour titles and climbs to 22nd in the PDC Order of Merit as a result.
“I’m so happy to win this title,” said Schindler. “I always believed that I have the ability to come back but I was lucky to win this one.
“Ryan was the better player but that’s darts sometimes.
“Ten years ago I was working as a steward on these events; I’ve worked very hard to get to where I am today and I’m proud of myself.
“I fancy myself to do well in the big TV events coming up, but today is just about winning this trophy; that’s all that matters to me now.”
Searle appeared in cruise control for much of the final, storming into a 4-0 lead with the aid of a 124 checkout before Schindler got off the mark in leg five.
Searle restored his four-leg cushion before Schindler landed a sublime 142 checkout to remain in outside contention at 5-2 behind.
Searle secured leg eight before Schindler replied with an 80 finish in the ninth and added an 86 checkout for an 11-darter to peg back to 6-4 adrift.
A 93 checkout moved Searle to the brink of victory, but three match darts were squandered in the following leg as Schindler kept his hopes alive.
Schindler applied further pressure by closing the gap to one, and Searle passed up a further four match darts before Schindler coolly took out 100 to force a decider.
A timely first and only 180 of the match from Schindler saw him assume control with the throw, and he duly converted double 16 to complete a memorable comeback.
Schindler began the day St Jakobshalle with a 6-4 win over Stephen Bunting in the Last 16, before repeating that scoreline against Raymond van Barneveld and thrashing Josh Rock 7-2 in the semi-finals.
Searle progressed to his first European Tour final courtesy of victories over Madars Razma, Daryl Gurney and Callan Rydz for the combined loss of just five legs.
However, he was left to ponder what might have been in the final, admitting: “You’d think I would be a bit annoyed but it’s one of those things. I bottled it.
“On to the next one really. I’ve not played my best this weekend and made the final so look out when I do actually play well.
“I’ve been in this position before where I’ve thrown games away and I’ve come back stronger, so I’ll be looking to respond in the same way again.”
Rydz enjoyed a fine run to the semi-finals, seeing off Cameron Menzies and James Wade on Sunday, but saw his late pursuit of a World Grand Prix spot fall short as Luke Woodhouse held on to the final ProTour qualification spot.
Luke Humphries defeated an out of sorts Luke Littler 6-3 in the afternoon’s Third Round but found himself on the receiving end of a 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Rock in the quarter-finals.
Swiss Darts Trophy 2024 Day Three Results
Sunday September 29
Afternoon Session
Last 16
Josh Rock 6-4 Rob Cross
Luke Humphries 6-3 Luke Littler
Stephen Bunting 4-6 Martin Schindler
Ross Smith 4-6 Raymond van Barneveld
Cameron Menzies 5-6 Callan Rydz
James Wade 6-4 Wessel Nijman
Madars Razma 2-6 Ryan Searle
Nathan Aspinall 3-6 Daryl Gurney
Evening Session
Quarter-Finals
Josh Rock 6-1 Luke Humphries
Martin Schindler 6-4 Raymond van Barneveld
Callan Rydz 6-2 James Wade
Ryan Searle 6-2 Daryl Gurney
Semi-Finals
Martin Schindler 7-2 Josh Rock
Ryan Searle 7-1 Callan Rydz
Final
Martin Schindler 8-7 Ryan Searle
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