Karel Sedlacek (Photo PDC)
Karel Sedlacek preserved his hopes of qualifying for the upcoming European Championship on the opening day of the Swiss Darts Trophy, as Stefan Bellmont produced a brilliant display on home soil in Basel.
The Swiss Darts Trophy got underway at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel last night, as Sedlacek swept aside Sebastian Bialecki to stay alive in the race for place in Dortmund later this month.
The Czech star averaged upwards of a ton and came back from 4-3 down to defeat the Pole 6-4, which included a brilliant 86 checkout on the bull to break the throw for the first time in the contest.
“I was waiting for my chance and I hit the bull; super!” Sedlacek explained, ahead of his showdown against Wessel Nijman for a place in the last 16.
“The chance [for Dortmund] is still alive, I think I’m still alive too, we will see.
“I think my last match against Wessel was perfect for me, so we will see tomorrow.”
Bellmont created history in the opening match of the evening session, as he became the third Swiss player to win a match at the Swiss Darts Trophy, as he beat Andrew Gilding 6-3.
The 37-year-old, who featured in his tenth European Tour event in his career, pinned five legs on the spin to defeat the former UK Open champion, and has his eyes set on a place in Saturday’s action.
“Playing infront of your home crowd is very special and I wanted to win so much.” Bellmont reflected, who managed to win only his third match on the European Tour and will face Krzysztof Ratajski in round two.
“There were quite a few nerves in the early stages of the match, but thankfully I was able to raise my game.
“I know I will have to play better tomorrow but for now I just want to enjoy this amazing moment.”
Michael Smith also chases down the final spots in the European Championship race, as the former world champion beat Rob Owen 6-4 and will face Jermaine Wattimena for a place in Sunday’s action.
Rob Cross was Friday’s standout performer for the second event in a row, averaging 105.95 in his 6-3 success against Mario Vandenbogaerde and will take on Luke Woodhouse on the back of his brilliant opening round performance at the World Grand Prix.
Bradley Brooks also produced an excellent display of darting brilliance in his opening round contest against Niels Zonneveld, as the former World Youth Champion averaged over a ton in a 6-4 victory over the World Grand Prix quarter-finalist, in a game that saw both players average over a ton and hit 13 maximums between them.
Brooks has now won four out of a possible four round one games in European Tour events this year, and will take on Chris Dobey for a place in the final day of action at St Jakobshalle.
Maik Kuivenhoven ended a losing streak of almost five years in Basel, as the Dutchman beat compatriot Raymond van Barneveld 6-3 to deny van Barneveld his first European Tour victory of the year.
Dave Chisnall and Tom Bissell both secured last-leg victories in their opening round contests against Alan Soutar and Joe Cullen respectively.
Bissell claimed just his second career European Tour win, which heavily dents Cullen’s hopes of making the European Championship, as he sits one spot outside the qualifying places.
Cristo Reyes’ first win on the European Tour since May came in style, as the Spaniard beat Scotsman Cameron Menzies with an average of 98 and will face Ryan Searle, next.
Gyorgy Jehirszki’s two ton-plus finishes were not enough against Mensur Suljovic, as the Austrian beat the Hungarian 6-3 and will face Michael van Gerwen tomorrow evening.
Swiss trio Roman Wellinger, Bruno Stoeckli and Alex Fehlmann were all denied heroic victories on home soil, as all three were beaten by Niko Springer, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Damon Heta respectively.
William O’Connor and Jeffrey De Graaf both secured comfortable victories against Jani Haavisto and Sietse Lap, before Kevin Doets rounded off the evening with a solid 6-3 victory over late call-up Nick Kenny.
RESULTS
Round One
Afternoon Session
Bradley Brooks 6-4 Niels Zonneveld
William O’Connor 6-1 Jani Haavisto
Mensur Suljovic 6-3 Gyorgy Jehirszki
Karel Sedlacek 6-4 Sebastian Bialecki
Niko Springer 6-1 Roman Wellinger
Tom Bissell 6-5 Joe Cullen
Cristo Reyes 6-4 Cameron Menzies
Rob Cross 6-3 Mario Vandenbogaerde
Stefan Bellmont 6-3 Andrew Gilding
Jeffrey de Graaf 6-4 Sietse Lap
Dave Chisnall 6-5 Alan Soutar
Maik Kuivenhoven 6-3 Raymond van Barneveld
Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-3 Bruno Stoeckli
Michael Smith 6-4 Rob Owen
Damon Heta 6-2 Alex Fehlmann
Kevin Doets 6-3 Nick Kenny
