Luke Humphries (Photo PDC)
Luke Humphries and Luke Littler returned to winning ways on the European Tour, as the pair picked up notable victories at the 2026 ČEZ Czech Darts Open last night.
Humphries – the three-time Czech Darts Open champion – opened his account at the PVA Expo with an astounding 6-2 victory over history-maker Beau Greaves.
Despite Greaves becoming the first woman ever to win on the European Tour stage, it was Humphries who ended the hopes of the young star, averaging just shy of 109 to book his place in Sunday’s action.
Greaves opened the contest with a 13-dart leg, before the world number two responded with legs of 12 and 14 of his own to lead early on.
The resilience of the three-time Women’s World Matchplay champion showed, as she closed the gap to just one with her second leg of the contest, before Humphries rattled off three consecutive legs to seal the victory.
“I knew I had to play a lot better than last week,” explained Humphries, who suffered a round two defeat at the recent Hungarian Darts Trophy.
“48 hours ago I wasn’t sure whether I was going to play; I seem to play better when I have an injury!
“She’s an amazing player, she pushed me all the way, it was a couple of bits towards the end of the match that got me through in the end.
“She’s just a great dart player. If I had lost today, I wouldn’t have been disgraced, I would have lost to a really great dart player.”
Andrew Gilding will face off with Humphries on Sunday afternoon, as the former UK Open champion dispatched of Nathan Aspinall 6-2.
The 55-year-old raced into a 5-0 lead over the former World Matchplay champion, sealing the victory with a brilliant 122 checkout.
“This place absolutely loves me, I don’t really know why that is, I get so much support, I just love being here,” reflected Gilding.
“Hopefully I can go into tomorrow, have a good showing and who knows what will happen after that!”
Littler’s return to the European Tour stage was an impressive one, as he dispatched of Germany’s Niko Springer with a stunning 108.59 average.
The world number one, who was making his first big stage appearance since retaining the coveted World Matchplay title, raced into the final day of action, winning 6-4 and setting up a contest with Krzysztof Ratajski on Sunday afternoon.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been to a European Tour,” echoed Littler, having missed eight successive events on the circuit in the past six months.
“Full credit to Niko [Springer]. I was 5-2 up and then suddenly it was 5-4 and he was right back in it.
“I’ve just produced a 108 average, but when I was practicing backstage, I couldn’t hit anything.”
Ratajski will meet Littler in tomorrow’s action, after the Polish number one beat Jermaine Wattimena 6-2 in the opening game of the day.
“Niko is a really quick player, with Krzysztof [Ratajski] tomorrow, I know how to manage his pace but he is very dangerous.”
“I’m smiling, it feels good to be back!”
Gian van Veen ran away a 6-1 victor over Jeffrey De Graaf – his fourth consecutive victory over the Swede by the same scoreline.
The world number three will lock horns with Ross Smith tomorrow afternoon in Prague, as last week’s Hungarian Darts Trophy winner looks to go back-to-back on the European Tour stage, after beating Stephen Burton 6-1.
Welsh duo Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price advanced to the final day in Prague, as the pair beat Damon Heta and Callan Rydz respectively.
Clayton produced finishes of 156 and 124 on his way to a 6-2 victory over the Australian number one, whereas Price averaged upwards of 103 in his victory over Rydz by the same scoreline.
Price will face off with Cameron Menzies tomorrow, after the Scotsman beat compatriot Gary Anderson 6-3, whilst Clayton will take on Keane Barry, who raced into the final day with a 6-4 victory over the seeded Chris Dobey.
Michael van Gerwen’s bid for a maiden Czech Darts Open title continues, as the prolific Dutchman moved into round three with a 6-4 victory over Mario Vandenbogaerde.
Van Gerwen was too strong for the Belgian, who defeated his Dutch compatriot Dirk van Duijvenbode yesterday, and will now face fellow Dutchman Wessel Nijman in one of the standout ties of the afternoon.
Nijman fought off Martin Schindler in the final game of Saturday’s afternoon session, as the German pinned a brilliant 170 checkout, before missing a crucial big number in the decider to allow Nijman to snatch victory.
Northern Irishman Josh Rock will do battle with Irishman William O’Connor, as the pair beat Ryan Joyce and Ryan Searle respectively to book their places in round three.
Luke Woodhouse closed off the evening’s proceedings with a brilliant 6-4 success against Stephen Bunting, as he averaged upwards of 105 on his way to victory and will take on Dutchman Danny Noppert after his 6-1 victory over Kevin Doets.
RESULTS
Round Two
Krzysztof Ratajski 6-2 Jermaine Wattimena
William O’Connor 6-4 Ryan Searle
Danny Noppert 6-1 Kevin Doets
Cameron Menzies 6-3 Gary Anderson
Keane Barry 6-4 Chris Dobey
Ross Smith 6-1 Stephen Burton
Andrew Gilding 6-2 Nathan Aspinall
Wessel Nijman 6-5 Martin Schindler
Gian van Veen 6-1 Jeffrey de Graaf
Jonny Clayton 6-2 Damon Heta
Gerwyn Price 6-2 Callan Rydz
Luke Littler 6-4 Niko Springer
Luke Humphries 6-2 Beau Greaves
Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Mario Vandenbogaerde
Josh Rock 6-3 Ryan Joyce
Luke Woodhouse 6-4 Stephen Bunting
