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Local Düsseldorf hero, Jyhan Artut, produced the major shock in the opening round of the European Open by winning 6-3 over Stephen Bunting.
Artut looked inspired by his home crowd and produced a near flawless display as he scored heavily to put ‘The Bullet’ to Bunting and earn a place in the next round.
Evening Session:
Alan Norris 6-2 Andy Smith: Lakeside runner-up Norris kicked off the evening session by landing five 180s in a 6-2 win over Andy Smith. Norris flew out of the blocks as he raced ahead in the match before expertly taking out 142 for a 12-darter to move 5-1 ahead before checking out another 12-dart leg to wrap up the win.
Mensur Suljovic 6-5 Mike De Decker: Mensur Suljovic produced a great comeback from 5-3 behind, he reeled off 3 perfect legs of Darts to deny Mike De Decker and book his place into the Second Round.
Joe Cullen 6-3 Maik Lagendorf: Joe Cullen was in good form as he scored 3 separate ton checkouts as he dispensed qualifier Maik Lagendorf in comfortable order as he won 6-3 to set up an intriguing clash with Simon Whitlock in the next round.
John Henderson 6-5 Andrew Gilding: German Darts Masters finalist John Henderson had a less than convincing victory as he laboured and missed numerous doubles to win his match vs Andrew Gilding but eventually won in the deciding leg.
Devon Petersen 6-5 Nathan Aspinall: Devon Petersen also left it late to win as he came back to defeat Nathan Aspinall. He trailed 3-5 at one stage but Petersen finished with a flourish, taking the final three legs to seal the win in dramatic fashion and head into a second round clash with Peter Wright on Saturday.
Jyhan Artut 6-3 Stephen Bunting: Artut delighted the home crowd as he looked at ease on the stage and showed no nerves against one of the best as he raced into a 4-1 lead. Despite a mini-revival from Bunting, Artut would complete the victory as landed double 14 for a 13-darter. He will face Kim Huybrechts in the next round.
Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-3 Leo Hendriks: Dirk van Duijvenbode won the battle of the local Dutch qualifiers as he defeated Leo Hendriks 6-3, landing four maximums in an impressive 6-3 victory, he now goes through to face James Wade in Round 2.
Afternoon Session:
Kevin McDine 6-5 Daryl Gurney: In the first game of the afternoon, Kevin McDine edged out Daryl Gurney in a very even match up that rocked back-and-forth between each player but it was McDine who held his nerve to advance through.
Mark Webster 6-2 Stuart Kellett: Mark Webster was the second man through to round two. The former Lakeside Champion started strongly as he took out 112 in the second leg en route to opening up a 4-1 lead. And Webster would swiftly wrap up the win as he took two of the final three legs before finishing on double two.
Jelle Klaasen 6-3 Eddie Dootson: Jelle Klaasen is finally starting to look like his form from 2006 World Champion again as he beat Eddie Dootson 6-3 with an impressive 100.7 average. Klaasen landed three maximums and completed the win with a brilliant 10-darter to set up a second round clash with Dave Chisnall.
Johnny Haines 6-4 Christian Soethe: Johnny Haines disappointed the home crowd in Dusseldorf as he defeated Germany’s Christian Soethe 6-4. The Swindon raced ahead to a 4-2 lead but then Soethe threatened a comeback, cheered on by home support pulling himself back to 5-4, and had Double top to send it into the deciding leg before Haines eventually sealed the win in the following leg.
Rowby-John Rodriguez 6-1 Barrie Bates: Rowby-John Rodriguez was in impressive form as he thumped Barrie Bates 6-1 at the Maritim Hotel. Victory for the 21-year-old always looked assured as he dominated throughout and had the crowd dreaming of a nine-darter in leg three with six perfect darts before taking out eight to quickly close out the win.
Mark Walsh 6-2 Tomas Seyler: Tomas Seyler became the second Home Nation Qualifier to lose out in the afternoon as he was defeated and truthfully outclassed as he bowed out 6-2 by Mark Walsh.
Dimitri van den Bergh 6-3 Christian Kist: One other big upset of the opening day of the tournament was Dimitri van den Bergh who pulled of the performance of a lifetime, averageing 100 with 75% double success as the Belgian youngster claimed a 6-3 win over Christian Kist in a high-quality encounter.
Wes Newton 6-0 Gerwyn Price: Wes Newton brought the afternoon session to a close in style, The former Premier League player never looked troubled as he cruised through his opening encounter, as he secured a thumping whitewash win over Gerwyn Price.
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