Stephen Bunting produced a superb performance in Riesa at the Elten Safety Shoes International Darts Open, taking victory on a day when Gian van Veen and Michael van Gerwen also performed well.
Bunting wrapped up their BetMGM Premier League campaign with a win at Sheffield on Thursday. The Liverpudlian continued his fine form with a 6-2 win over Krzysztof Ratajski.
“I feel good, I feel fresh and I feel ready to win,” Bunting declared after punishing Poland’s No. 1 with an average of 102.54 and five 180s.
“We won the Berlin Premier League last year and then came straight here and won, so hopefully there will be a lot of similarities!”
Bunting’s walk-ons were in for a treat here at Riesa, along with everyone but Krzysztof Ratajski!
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Highlights from Sheffield’s Premier League 16 night final as Bunting defeats Luke Humphries
Day two saw the seeded stars kick off their campaign at the WT Energiesysteme Arena as top seed Van Veen snapped a three-game losing streak on the European Tour circuit.
The 24-year-old delivered a 6-3 victory over Connor Scutt, averaging close to 97 points, and capped a captivating performance for the entire Netherlands against Kevin Doets.
“Everyone who has watched me over the last few weeks knows it has been difficult,” the current European champion admitted.
“I haven’t won on the European Tour since Göttingen, so I needed this win today.
“Kevin is one of the best Dutch players at the moment, but if I show up tomorrow I’ll be able to hit a really good shot and hopefully it’ll be a great game.”
Doets continued his outstanding form with a narrow decision win over Luke Woodhouse, defying a late fightback to record his third win over Woodhouse in 19 days.
Saturday’s double session saw numerous comebacks and Van Gerwen get a great reprieve in the tie against Madars Razma, who wasted six match darts.
Michael van Gerwen arranged a meeting with Damon Heta.
Van Gerwen hit 164 and 127 to knock Latvia down 3-0 and next meets Damon Heta, who clinically dispatched Niels Zonneveld 6-2 in the opening match.
Wessel Nijman also started his bid for a second European Tour title in 2026 with a come-from-behind win over William O’Connor, overturning a 5-3 deficit and converting checks of 107, 134 and 106.
Nijman’s reward is a round of 16 meeting with third seed James Wade. James Wade advanced to the final thanks to a merciless six-shot whitewash at the expense of a struggling Dave Chisnall.
Cameron Menzies shocks Josh Rock
Cameron Menzies launched a stunning comeback from 4-0 down to stun Austria’s Darts Open winner Josh Rock, eliminating the Northern Irishman with six successive leg shakes.
Rob Cross also took the Belgian no. 1 took six legs without reply to bring down Mike De Decker, recovered from 2-0 down to advance with an average of 99% and a double success rate of 66%.
Cross will lock horns with current champion Bunting in the last 16, while Menzies plays 2024 champion Martin Schindler, who delighted the home crowd with a last-minute win over Karel Sedlacek.
Schindler’s World Cup partner Ricardo Pietreczko put in a brave display to hold off Danny Noppert in a marathon 36-minute contest, despite Noppert recovering to level at 5-2.
Pietreczko will face Ross Smith on Sunday after the former European champion beat 2020 International Darts Open winner Joe Cullen 6-3 by an average north of 102.
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Ryan Searle hit a nine-darter to win the 2023 Grand Slam of Darts against Nathan Rafferty.
Ryan Searle and Kim Huybrechts will face off for a place in the quarter-finals after beating Charlie Manby and Chris Dobey respectively.
World Championship semi-finalist Searle produced a late surge to put Huybrechts past debutant Manby in the decider of the second European Tour event, beating Dobey in straight sets.
Elsewhere, Ryan Joyce beat late call-up Christian Kist to earn a matchup with Jermaine Wattimena. Jermaine Wattimena ended his streak of defeats in Riesa by beating Bradley Brooks in the decider.
The final, which will be held at the WT Energiesysteme Arena, gets underway at 11am BST, with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final starting at 5pm.
Elten Safety Shoes International Darts Open
Saturday, May 23
Round 2
afternoon session
Jermaine Wattimina 6-5 Bradley Brooks
Damon Heta 6-2 Nils Sonneveld
Kevin Dotz 6-5 Luke Woodhouse
Ricardo Pietrezzico 6-5 Danny Noffert
Ross Smith 6-3 Joe Cullen
Rob Cross 6-2 Mike De Decker
Wessel Nyman 6-5 William O’Connor
Cameron Menzies 6-4 Josh Rock
evening session
Kim Huybrechts 6-5 Chris Dovey
James Wade 6-0 Dave Chisnall
Ryan Searle 6-3 Charlie Manby
Ryan Joyce 6-2 Christian Kist
Gian van Vinh 6-3 corner scut
Michael van Gerwen 6-5 Madars Razma
Stephen Bunting 6-2 Krzysztof Ratajski
Martin Schindler 6-5 Karel Sedracek
Sunday May 24th
Afternoon Session (11am)
Gian van Vinh v Kevin Dotz
Ryan Sler v Kim Huybrechts
Stephen Bunting v Rob Cross
Ryan Joyce v Jermaine Watimena
Michael van Gerwen v Damon Heta
Ricardo Pietrecco as Ross Smith
James Wade v Vessel Nyman
Cameron Menzies v Martin Schindler
Evening session (5pm)
quarterfinal
semifinal
critical
What happens on Premier League final night?
The 2026 Premier League final will be played at The O2 next Thursday, with Luke Littler taking on Gerwyn Price in the evening’s opener.
Jonny Clayton and Luke Humphries face off in the second semi-final.
Who will be the winner of this year’s Premier League Darts? Luke Humphries is set to defend his title and you can watch Finals Night next Thursday on Sky Sports. Stream darts and other top sports with NOW.
