Krzysztof Ratajski (Photo PDC Europe)
Krzysztof Ratajski will take on world number two Luke Humphries at the Poland Darts Open later today, after marking his return to home soil with victory in Kraków.
The PDC European Tour’s first visit to Poland saw Ratajski take centre stage on the opening day at the EXPO, courtesy of a clinical 6-3 victory over former Grand Slam of Darts semi-finalist Mickey Mansell.
Ratajski – roared on by a partisan home crowd – defied an average of almost 99 from Mansell to progress, producing a typically efficient display to set up a blockbuster clash with Humphries.
“This was one of the most valuable wins in my career, for sure,” insisted Ratajski, a World Championship quarter-finalist last month.
“I was very nervous tonight. The expectation was high, but I played my game and I’m really happy I won for this great crowd.
“Of course I want to win [against Humphries]. This will be something special, but I will prepare like I always do for every game.”
Andrew Gilding produced the performance of the day in Kraków, reeling off six consecutive legs from 3-0 adrift to stun Sweden’s number one Jeffrey de Graaf with a 106.55 average.
Gilding will now take on Dutch number one Gian van Veen in round two, while William O’Connor also accounted for Swedish opposition, defeating Andreas Harrysson in a high-quality affair.
The day also featured a terrific win for Connor Scutt, who withstood a stirring mid-game fightback from Damon Heta to register his second victory on the European Tour stage.
Despite trailing 4-0, Heta followed up 11 and 12-dart breaks with a 167 finish to level at four apiece, only for Scutt to respond with a 106 kill alongside a 12-darter to wrap up proceedings.
Wessel Nijman will go head-to-head with Gary Anderson in one of Saturday’s stand-out ties, after the Dutchman maintained his bright start to 2026 with a 6-3 victory against Thomas Lovely.
However, Dirk van Duijvenbode’s late flurry against Adam Gawlas came in vain, as the Czech youngster prevailed by the same scoreline to book a tie against current Premier League leader Jonny Clayton.
There was a continental flavour to Friday’s action, as Spanish star Cristo Reyes landed six 180s and pinned 60% of his attempts at double to dump out Niko Springer on his European Tour return.
Belgian number one Mike De Decker was another high-profile name to advance, battling past European Tour debutant Marvin Kraft to create a fascinating encounter against world number one Luke Littler on Saturday evening.
Croatia’s Boris Krcmar, meanwhile, averaged 102.44 to deny an impressive Ryan Joyce and move through to a clash with German number one Martin Schindler.
Cameron Menzies and James Wade will also collide for a place in the last 16, after the Scot crashed in nine 180s to complete a 6-4 success against former European Champion Ritchie Edhouse.
Darryl Pilgrim claimed the scalp of a profligate Dave Chisnall to set up a showdown against Nathan Aspinall, while Luke Woodhouse ran out a convincing 6-2 winner against Carl Sneyd.
Despite Ratajski’s victory, the remaining four Polish stars all suffered opening round exits, as Joe Cullen, Daryl Gurney, Jermaine Wattimena and Niels Zonneveld completed the round two line-up.
Cullen will renew his rivalry with former World Champion Michael Smith after overcoming Krzysztof Kciuk with a 99 average, while Gurney breezed to an emphatic 6-1 win over debutant Dawid Robak.
Dutch duo Wattimena and Zonneveld also prevailed on a bumper day in Kraków, defeating big stage newcomers Miroslaw Grudziecki and Piotr Maciejczak respectively.
Round Two will take place across two sessions, with Littler, Humphries and Van Veen amongst the star attractions.
RESULTS
Round One
Cameron Menzies 6-4 Ritchie Edhouse
William O’Connor 6-4 Andreas Harrysson
Boris Krcmar 6-3 Ryan Joyce
Luke Woodhouse 6-2 Carl Sneyd
Niels Zonneveld 6-2 Piotr Maciejczak
Andrew Gilding 6-3 Jeffrey de Graaf
Jermaine Wattimena 6-4 Miroslaw Grudziecki
Darryl Pilgrim 6-4 Dave Chisnall
Wessel Nijman 6-3 Thomas Lovely
Daryl Gurney 6-1 Dawid Robak
Connor Scutt 6-4 Damon Heta
Krzysztof Ratajski 6-3 Mickey Mansell
Adam Gawlas 6-3 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Cristo Reyes 6-3 Niko Springer
Joe Cullen 6-2 Krzysztof Kciuk
Mike De Decker 6-4 Marvin Kraft
