Stephen Bunting, Gian van Veen and Michael van Gerwen all start to win at the International Darts Open | Arrow News
Stephen Bunting opened his defense of the Elten Safety Shoes International Darts Open with a superb display at Riesa, as Gian van Veen and Michael van Gerwen also made it through on the best day of play.
Bunting completed their BetMGM Premier League campaign with victory at Sheffield Thursday and the Liverpudlian maintained his good form with an impressive 6-2 win against Krzysztof Ratajski.
“I feel good, I feel fresh and I feel ready to win,” said Bunting, after scoring 102.54 and crashing five 180s to punish the Polish No. 1.
“I won the Premier League in Berlin last year and then I came straight here and won this, I hope it’s more of the same!”
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Highlights of last night’s Premier League last 16 game from Sheffield as Bunting beats Luke Humphries
On day two the stars begin their campaigns at the WT Energiesysteme Arena as top seed Van Veen ends his three-match unbeaten run on the European Tour.
The 24-year-old won 6-3 over Connor Scutt, averaging around 97 to set up a Dutch thriller against Kevin Doets.
“Everyone who watched me the last few weeks knows it was difficult,” admitted the European champion.
“I haven’t won a match on the European Tour since Goettingen, so I needed this win today.
“Kevin is one of the best Dutch players at the moment, but if I come tomorrow I’ve got a really good shot and hopefully it will be a good game.”
Doets maintained his good form with a decisive leg win over Luke Woodhouse, turning down a late fight to register his third win over Woodhouse in 19 days.
Saturday’s doubles session featured plenty of comebacks, with Van Gerwen given plenty of leeway against Madars Razma, who turned six darts.
Michael van Gerwen established a meeting with Damon Heta
Van Gerwen scored 164 and 127 in a 3-0 win over the Latvian and next met Damon Heta, who thrashed Niels Zonneveld 6-2 in his debut.
Wessel Nijman resumed his bid for a second European Tour title of 2026 with a comeback victory against William O’Connor, converting rounds of 107, 134 and 106 to overturn a 5-3 deficit.
Nijman’s prize is a last 16 meeting with third seed James Wade, who made it all the way to the Final Day courtesy of a brutal six-legged hiding at the expense of struggling Dave Chisnall.
Cameron Menzies scares Josh Rock
Cameron Menzies launched a sensational fightback from 4-0 down against Austrian Darts Open winner Josh Rock, reeling off six legs in a row to knock out the Northern Irishman.
Rob Cross also won six legs without reply demolishing Belgian No.1 Mike De Decker, recovering from 2-0 down to move ahead with a 99 rating and a 66 per cent doubling success rate.
Cross will face reigning champion Bunting in the last 16, while Menzies plays 2024 champion Martin Schindler, who delighted the home crowd with a last-gasp victory over Karel Sedlacek.
Schindler’s World Cup teammate Ricardo Pietreczko produced a brave display to dispose of Danny Noppert in a marathon 36-minute contest, despite Noppert recovering from 5-2 down to level.
Pietreczko will face Ross Smith on Sunday after the former European champion equaled north of 102 to beat 2020 International Darts Open winner Joe Cullen 6-3.
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Ryan Searle hit a nine to win his match against Nathan Rafferty at the 2023 Grand Slam of Darts…
Ryan Searle and Kim Huybrechts will go head-to-head in the quarter-finals following victories over Charlie Manby and Chris Dobey respectively.
World Championship semi-finalist Searle delivered a brace to sweep Manby aside, as Huybrechts edged past Dobey in the decider of a second successive European Tour event.
Elsewhere, Ryan Joyce overcame late call-up Christian Kist to earn a match against Jermaine Wattimena, who edged past Bradley Brooks in a decision to overturn his defeat at Riesa.
The Final Day at the WT Energiesysteme Arena will begin at 11am BST, before the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final are held from 5pm.
Elten Safety Shoes International Darts Open
Saturday May 23
Round Two
Afternoon Session
Jermaine Wattimena 6-5 Bradley Brooks
Damon Heta 6-2 Niels Zonneveld
Kevin Doets 6-5 Luke Woodhouse
Ricardo Pietreczko 6-5 Danny Noppert
Ross Smith 6-3 Joe Cullen
Rob Cross 6-2 Mike De Decker
Wessel Nijman 6-5 William O’Connor
Cameron Menzies 6-4 Josh Rock
Evening Session
Kim Huybrechts 6-5 Chris Dobey
James Wade 6-0 Dave Chisnall
Ryan Searle 6-3 Charlie Manby
Ryan Joyce 6-2 Christian Kist
Gian van Veen 6-3 Connor Scutt
Michael van Gerwen 6-5 Madars Razma
Stephen Bunting 6-2 Krzysztof Ratajski
Martin Schindler 6-5 Karel Sedlacek
Sunday May 24
Afternoon session (11am)
Gian van Veen v Kevin Doets
Ryan Searle v Kim Huybrechts
Stephen Bunting v Rob Cross
Ryan Joyce v Jermaine Wattimena
Michael van Gerwen v Damon Heta
Ricardo Pietreczko v Ross Smith
James Wade v Wessel Nijman
Cameron Menzies v Martin Schindler
Evening session (5pm)
Quarter-Final
Semi-finalist
Finally
What happened on the last night of the Premier League?
The 2026 Premier League Finals will take place at The O2 next Thursday, with Luke Littler taking on Gerwyn Price in the opening match of the evening.
Jonny Clayton and Luke Humphries went head-to-head in the second semi-final.
Who will win this year’s Premier League Darts? Luke Humphries will be defending his title and you can watch Final Night next Thursday on Sky Sports. Stream darts and other top games NOW.
