German hopes stayed alive in Riesa as Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko both squeezed into the last 16 at the ELTEN Safety Shoes International Darts Open with tense 6-5 wins on Saturday at the WT Energiesysteme Arena.
Schindler edged Karel Sedláček after surviving a match dart, extending his run of reaching the final day on the PDC European Tour to five events in a row, following stops in Wieze, Munich, Sindelfingen, and Graz. Pietreczko, who ended an 11-match losing streak on Friday, went the distance to defeat Danny Noppert. It was his first last-16 appearance on the European Tour in nearly a year and further lifts Germany’s World Cup of Darts pairing of Schindler and Pietreczko.
Highlights of the Day
Belgium’s Kim Huybrechts produced the day’s standout display, averaging 104.66 in a deciding-leg victory over Chris Dobey. In total, seven of the 16 second-round matches were settled in a final leg.
At the top of the draw, top seed Gian van Veen beat Connor Scutt 6-3 for his first European Tour win in about two months. Stephen Bunting advanced 6-2 against Krzysztof Ratajski, while Ross Smith continued his perfect record of making the last 16 at every European Tour event this season. Michael van Gerwen also moved on after a 6-5 battle with Madars Razma.
Debutant Charlie Manby’s run ended with a 6-4 loss to Ryan Searle, a day after the 20-year-old upset Niko Springer in the first round.
Saturday results:
- Jermaine Wattimena 6-5 Bradley Brooks
- Damon Heta 6-2 Niels Zonneveld
- Luke Woodhouse 5-6 Kevin Doets
- Danny Noppert 5-6 Ricardo Pietreczko
- Ross Smith 6-3 Joe Cullen
- Mike De Decker 2-6 Rob Cross
- Wessel Nijman 6-5 William O’Connor
- Josh Rock 4-6 Cameron Menzies
- Chris Dobey 5-6 Kim Huybrechts
- James Wade 6-0 Dave Chisnall
- Ryan Searle 6-4 Charlie Manby
- Christian Kist 2-6 Ryan Joyce
- Gian van Veen 6-3 Connor Scutt
- Michael van Gerwen 6-5 Madars Razma
- Stephen Bunting 6-2 Krzysztof Ratajski
- Martin Schindler 6-5 Karel Sedláček
The title will be decided on Sunday, with Schindler and Pietreczko joined in the last 16 by leading contenders including van Gerwen, Bunting, Kevin Doets, and Huybrechts. A packed final day of play awaits in Riesa, promising thrilling darts action for fans and players alike.