Cristo Reyes recorded a stunning nine-dart finish in the second round of the Elten Safety Shoes Austrian Darts Open, while Gian van Veen suffered a shocking early exit.
The seven seeds were sent packing to the Stadthalle on Saturday, where Reyes defeated Australian no. 1 Damon Heta made headlines after firing off a perfect leg during his win over Heta.
The Spaniard has been in the spotlight since regaining his PDC Tour card in January and put in another outstanding performance in Austria, going 6-4 with an average of 101.89 and 180 for 6.
Reyes is scheduled to face Danny Noppert in the last 16.
Reyes lifted the roof with a nine-dart attack in Game 4, defying Heta’s brave counterattack to finish the match with a brilliant 11-dart.
“I’m really happy,” said Reyes, who will face fifth seed Danny Noppert for a place in the quarterfinals. “I was more nervous when I hit the Nine Darters, but it was amazing. I want to say thank you to this fantastic crowd.”
michael van gerwen He also impressed in a bumper evening session, averaging 103.41 points and checking out over three tons to beat Krzysztof Ratajski 6-3 to begin his bid for a fifth Austrian Darts Open crown.
Van Gerwen will be targeting a showdown with the two-time European champions. rob crossBeat William O’Connor by the same score in the Saturday afternoon session.
Dutch superstar Van Gerwen is the highest-ranked player remaining in Graz after final seed Van Veen lost to Latvian No. 1. Madar Rajma.
Van Veen crashed, along with fellow countryman Wessel Nijman, and was blown away by the prevailing wind gusts. Nico Springer A battle between two of the most explosive talents in sports.
Elsewhere, james wade He averaged 103, produced a hat-trick of 11 darters and produced a virtuoso performance to end the hopes of Austrian icon Mensur Suljovic in a resounding 6-2 win.
current champion Martin Schindler He also went forward in convincing style, getting up to six shots and getting off five successive legs to sweep away a struggling Peter Wright at 2-1 adrift.
Kim Huibrechts He maintained his resurgence with a stunning decision win over Chris Dobey, overturning a 5-4 deficit with a breathtaking 132 following a 10-dart break.
The Belgians will play. Andrew Gilding The 2023 UK Open champion averaged 100.92 in his 6-4 win over former European Championships runner-up Jermaine Watimena on Sunday.
ross smith – Runner-up behind Schindler in last year’s tournament – Average north of 102 at Niels Zonneveld disposal Luke Woodhouse He also averaged over a ton in his 6-1 win over Rob Owen.
Northern Ireland World Cup Winners Josh Rock and Are you Darryl? He also safely advanced to the final with 6-3 wins over Patrik Kovacs and Ian White respectively.
Josh Rock advances to round of 16 in Austria
Kevin Dotz He achieved his first win in his career. Ryan Sully book a tie ryan joyceHe is the person who drove Mike De Decker to his 6th consecutive European Tour victory. Danny Noffert Completes the last 16 line-up after surviving three match darts to sink Alan Soutar in a tough final leg.
The Austrian Darts Open begins at 12am BST on Sunday with the remaining 16 players playing in the afternoon, with the tournament culminating in quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals in a blockbuster evening session.
Austrian Darts Open: Saturday results
afternoon session
Andrew Gilding 6-4 Jermaine Wattimina
Ryan Joyce 6-3 Mike De Decker
Rob Cross 6-3 William O’Connor
Kevin Doets 6-2 Ryan Searle
Ross Smith 6-3 Nils Sonneveld
Cristo Reyes 6-4 Damon Heta
Luke Woodhouse 6-1 Rob Owen
Kim Huybrechts 6-5 Chris Dovey
evening session
Daryl Gurney 6-3 Ian White
Josh Rock 6-3 Patrick Kovacs
James Wade 6-2 Mensur Suljovic
Michael van Gerwen 6-3 Krzysztof Ratajski
Danny Noffert 6-5 Alan Soutar
Madars Razma 6-5 Gian van Veen
Martin Schindler 6-2 Peter Wright
Nico Springer 6-0 Wessel Nyman
Austrian Darts Open: Sunday fixtures
Round 3 (from BST 1200)
Kevin Dotz vs Ryan Joyce
James Wade v Luke Woodhouse
Kim Huybrechts v Andrew Gilding
Michael van Gerwen v Rob Kross
Danny Noffert v Cristo Reyes
Josh Rock v Nico Springer
Ross Smith v Martin Schindler
Madars Rajma v Darryl Gurney
Evening session (from 18:00 BST)
quarterfinal
semifinal
critical
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