Dirk van_Duijvenbode (Photo by Sebastian Doppstadt/PDC)
Dirk van Duijvenbode continued his incredible start to the Elten Safety Shoes German Darts Championship with a stunning 117 average to headline Saturday’s Round Two action in Hildesheim.
Van Duijvenbode brought the Halle 39 crowd to their feet with a sensational nine-darter on Friday night against Karel Sedlacek.
He stormed into Sunday’s final stages with a remarkable 6-2 victory over Chris Dobey – with the 117.74 average being the Dutchman’s highest ever on the big stage.
Dobey averaged over 105 in reply and posted legs of 11 and 13 darts – but had no answer to an incredible display from his opponent.
Legs of 12, 11 and 15 darts gave Van Duijvenbode a 3-0 lead, and he followed a 123 checkout with a 14-darter to move 5-1 up before closing out victory in 13 darts.
Van Duijvenbode now takes on German number one Martin Schindler in Sunday afternoon’s Round Three, after the three-time European Tour event winner overcame William O’Connor 6-4 on Saturday night.
O’Connor averaged over 101, but saw his hopes of snatching qualification for the Machineseeker European Championship ended by the defeat.
Dave Chisnall claimed a crucial victory in his bid to qualify for next week’s European Championship, crashing in ten 180s to win through a compelling contest against Gabriel Clemens.
Chisnall produced a stunning display of power-scoring to end his nine-match losing run on the European Tour, which saw him move into the provisional qualification spots at the expense of Andrew Gilding.
Krzysztof Ratajski secured his qualification with a 6-3 success against Ryan Searle, averaging north of 102 to overcome the Somerset star.
However, two-time champion Rob Cross is yet to confirm his spot in Dortmund, after Cameron Menzies romped to a 6-1 victory against the world number seven.
Reigning champion Peter Wright opened his defence of the title by edging out 2023 champion Ricardo Pietreczko, remarkably winning each of his six legs in 15 darts.
World Youth Champion Gian van Veen prevailed in his all-Dutch affair against Niels Zonneveld, averaging just under 99 to set up a showdown against Jonny Clayton or Raymond van Barneveld.
Wessel Nijman landed a sensational ten-darter to wrap up an emphatic 6-2 win over Belgian number one Mike De Decker, who missed double 12 for a nine-darter earlier in the contest.
Jermaine Wattimena was another impressive Dutch winner, as he overcame James Wade 6-3 in a tie where both players averaged over 106.
Elsewhere, Steve Lennon survived six match darts to topple Australian number one Damon Heta in a dramatic decider, while World Grand Prix semi-finalist Danny Noppert saw off a below-par Luke Woodhouse 6-3.
Lennon goes into the final day alongside Ricky Evans needing to take the Hildesheim title to snatch European Championship qualification.
Evans moved into the last 16 with a clinical 6-2 win over World Cup champion Josh Rock, hitting six doubles from eight attempts.
Nathan Aspinall continued his brilliant form by averaging 107.53 to power past Ross Smith 6-4, with the European Tour Rankings leader now facing Lennon.
Welsh duo Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton both impressed in wins over Dutch opposition, seeing off Christian Kist and Raymond van Barneveld respectively.
Ryan Joyce ended Stephen Bunting’s bid for a second successive European Tour title, defeating the Swiss Darts Trophy champion 6-4 – in a tie where both players posted ton-plus averages – to move through to a tie with Ratajski.
RESULTS
Second Round: Gian van Veen 6-4 Niels Zonneveld; Steve Lennon 6-5 Damon Heta; Danny Noppert 6-3 Luke Woodhouse; Krzysztof Ratajski 6-3 Ryan Searle; Wessel Nijman 6-2 Mike De Decker; Cameron Menzies 6-1 Rob Cross; Peter Wright 6-5 Ricardo Pietreczko; Dave Chisnall 6-4 Gabriel Clemens; Nathan Aspinall 6-4 Ross Smith; Jonny Clayton 6-3 Raymond van Barneveld; Gerwyn Price 6-1 Christian Kist; Jermaine Wattimena 6-3 James Wade; Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-2 Chris Dobey; Martin Schindler 6-4 William O’Connor; Ricky Evans 6-2 Josh Rock; Ryan Joyce 6-4 Stephen Bunting
