Austrian Darts Open: Gian van Veen faces shock exit as Michael van Gerwen continues and Cristo Reyes fires back nine | Arrow News

Cristo Reyes produced an impressive nine-dart finish in the second round of the Elten Safety Shoes Austrian Darts Open, where Gian van Veen was quickly eliminated.

Seven shots were sent full Saturday at the Stadthalle, where Reyes made headlines after shooting a nice leg during his victory over Australian No 1 Damon Heta.

The Spaniard has been a revelation since regaining his PDC Tour Card in January and produced another fine display in Austria, averaging 101.89 and hitting 180 sixes to win 6-4.

Reyes raised the roof with nine darts in the fourth leg, before defying a brilliant fight from Heta to complete the streak with a brilliant 11-darter.

“I feel very happy,” said Reyes, who will face fifth-seeded Danny Noppert for a place in the quarter-finals. “When I hit the nine-darter I was very nervous, but this is amazing. I want to thank this great crowd.”

Michael van Gerwen again impressed in the leading evening session, averaging 103.41 and converting a ton-plus triple to defeat Krzysztof Ratajski 6-3 and open his bid for a fifth Austrian Darts Open crown.

Van Gerwen will be looking forward to the match against the two-time European champions Rob Crosswho defeated William O’Connor by the same scoreline on Saturday afternoon’s show.

Dutch star Van Gerwen is the top seed left in Graz after top seed Van Veen was beaten in the final round by the Latvian No.1. Madars Razma.

Van Veen crashed along with teammate Wessel Nijman, who was blown away by the violence. Niko Springer in a battle between two of the most explosive talents in sports.

Elsewhere, James Wade produced a brilliant display to end the hopes of Austrian icon Mensur Suljovic, who turned 103 and scored a hat-trick of 11 darters en route to a massive 6-2 victory.

The reigning champion Martin Schindler again advanced in convincing style, firing six maximums and reeling off five straight legs from 2-1 down to sweep aside the struggling Peter Wright.

Kim Huybrechts continued his rise with a decisive leg victory over Chris Dobey, following a 10-dart break and a stunning 132 finish on the bull to overturn a 5-4 deficit.

Belgium will play Andrew Gilding in the last 16 after the 2023 UK Open champion averaged 100.92 in his 6-4 win over former European Championship runner-up Jermaine Wattimena.

Ross Smith – runner-up to Schindler in last year’s tournament – reached north of 102 in dismissing Niels Zonneveld when Luke Woodhouse he also averaged over a ton in his 6-1 thrashing of Rob Owen.

Northern Ireland World Cup Champions Josh Rock again Daryl Gurney also progressed safely to the Final Day, courtesy of 6-3 victories against Patrik Kovacs and Ian White respectively.

Kevin Doets celebrated the first victory of the career Ryan Searle booking a tie against Ryan Joycewhich condemned Mike De Decker to his sixth straight defeat on the European Tour. Danny Noppert he finishes in the last 16 after surviving three arrows to sink Alan Soutar in a tough final leg.

The Austrian Darts Open continues from 1200 BST on Sunday as the remaining 16 players battle it out in the afternoon, before the tournament concludes with quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals in a blockbuster evening session.

Austrian Darts Open: Saturday results

Afternoon Session
Andrew Gilding 6-4 Jermaine Wattimena
Ryan Joyce 6-3 Mike De Decker
Rob Cross 6-3 William O’Connor
Kevin Doets 6-2 Ryan Searle
Ross Smith 6-3 Niels Zonneveld
Cristo Reyes 6-4 Damon Heta
Luke Woodhouse 6-1 Rob Owen
Kim Huybrechts 6-5 Chris Dobey

Evening Session
Daryl Gurney 6-3 Ian White
Josh Rock 6-3 Patrik Kovacs
James Wade 6-2 Mensur Suljovic
Michael van Gerwen 6-3 Krzysztof Ratajski
Danny Noppert 6-5 Alan Soutar
Madars Razma 6-5 Gian van Veen
Martin Schindler 6-2 Peter Wright
Niko Springer 6-0 Wessel Nijman

Austrian Darts Open: Sunday schedule

Third round (from 1200 BST)
Kevin Doets v Ryan Joyce
James Wade v Luke Woodhouse
Kim Huybrechts v Andrew Gilding
Michael van Gerwen v Rob Cross
Danny Noppert v Cristo Reyes
Josh Rock v Niko Springer
Ross Smith v Martin Schindler
Madars Razma v Daryl Gurney

Evening session (From 1800 BST)
Quarter-Final
Semi-finalist
Finally

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