Thibault Tricole stuns Michael Smith to create history at the International Darts Open
Thibault Tricole became the first Frenchman to win on the European Tour as he knocked out Michael Smith in Round One of the International Darts Open in Riesa on Friday.
Tricole pulled off an impressive 6-3 win over the 2023 World Champion with a 95.8 average to set up a meeting with Dimitri van den Bergh on Saturday.
“I’ve been waiting for this win for a long time,” said Tricole.
“To get this victory against Michael Smith – a legend of darts – this is perfect for me, and I will really enjoy this moment.”
Day One of the season third European Tour event began with a bang at the WT Energiesysteme Arena, as reigning champion Martin Schindler headlined on home soil.
The German number one kicked off his campaign with a comfortable 6-2 win over Thomas Lovely, averaging 102.7 and landing five maximums in the process.
Schindler is now guaranteed a place in the Last 16 on Sunday after his scheduled Second Round opponent Rob Cross withdrew from the event earlier in the afternoon.
Dutch icon Raymond van Barneveld rolled back the years with a vintage display in Riesa, averaging 103.4 to sweep aside Host Nation Qualifier Patrick Klingelhoefer 6-1.
“Jonny is an amazing player and a great guy as well,” said Van Barneveld.
“I’m really happy with that performance. I am feeling confident with my set-up, and I’m looking forward to the game tomorrow night.”
Van Barneveld’s young compatriots Gian van Veen and Wessel Nijman also advanced by the same 6-1 scoreline, courtesy of thumping wins over Paul Goyer and Radek Szaganski respectively.
Dirk van Duijvenbode joined his fellow countrymen in round two, crashing in six 180s to deny home favourite Niko Springer in a high-quality encounter, with both players averaging north of 101.
However, Jermaine Wattimena suffered an early exit at the hands of Czech star Karel Sedlacek – who reeled off four straight legs from 3-2 down to secure his first European Tour victory of the campaign.
Mario Vandenbogaerde and Luke Woodhouse also celebrated comeback wins over Callan Rydz and Matt Campbell, each reeling off five consecutive legs to seal their progress.
Ryan Searle was another high-profile casualty on Day One, as Lithuania’s Darius Labanauskas averaged 102 on his way to a terrific 6-3 victory over the world number 19.
Mike De Decker defeated Daniel Klose by the same scoreline in Friday’s penultimate tie, and the Belgian’s reward is a blockbuster second round showdown with four-time champion Gerwyn Price.
Joe Cullen – also a winner of the International Open back in 2020 – breezed past Rob Owen 6-1 to return to winning ways on the big stage, and he will now take on Nathan Aspinall, a winner in Gottingen less than a fortnight ago.
Ricardo Pietreczko punished a profligate display from Krzysztof Ratajski to prevail in a battle of the former European Tour winners, while Cameron Menzies landed a brace of ton-plus finishes in a whitewash win over Kevin Knopf.
Meanwhile, Andrew Gilding averaged almost 99 in his 6-3 success against William O’Connor, while European Champion Ritchie Edhouse battled his way past Czech debutant Petr Krivka.
International Darts Open 2025 Day One Results
Friday April 4
First Round
Afternoon Session
Wessel Nijman 6-1 Radek Szaganski
Callan Rydz 4-6 Mario Vandenbogaerde
Ritchie Edhouse 6-4 Petr Krivka
Cameron Menzies 6-0 Kevin Knopf
Andrew Gilding 6-3 William O’Connor
Luke Woodhouse 6-3 Matt Campbell
Gian van Veen 6-1 Paul Goyer
Ryan Searle 3-6 Darius Labanauskas
Evening Session
Jermaine Wattimena 4-6 Karel Sedlacek
Ricardo Pietreczko 6-2 Krzysztof Ratajski
Raymond van Barneveld 6-1 Patrick Klingelhoefer
Michael Smith 3-6 Thibault Tricole
Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-3 Niko Springer
Martin Schindler 6-2 Thomas Lovely
Mike De Decker 6-3 Daniel Klose
Joe Cullen 6-1 Robert Owen
