Kevin Doets starred with a whitewash win over Tom Bissell, as Charlie Manby triumphed on his maiden appearance on the Winamax European Tour at the Elten Safety Shoes International Darts Open on Friday. Doets delivered a brutal 6-0 triumph over Bissell in the opening day of action at the WT Energiesysteme Arena in Riesa, continuing […]
Kevin Doets starred with a whitewash win over Tom Bissell, as Charlie Manby triumphed on his maiden appearance on the Winamax European Tour at the Elten Safety Shoes International Darts Open on Friday.
Doets delivered a brutal 6-0 triumph over Bissell in the opening day of action at the WT Energiesysteme Arena in Riesa, continuing his fine form in the sport.
The Dutchman – who finished runner-up at the Austrian Darts Open in earlier in May – averaged 102.48 and missed just one dart at double in a sparkling performance to deny Bissell a leg and breeze into the next round.
The 28-year-old picked up his first PDC ranking title at the start of this month with victory at Players Championship 13 in Hildesheim, and has now reached round two in all five of his European Tour appearances this year after defeating Bissell.
“I didn’t go all the way last time [in Graz], so that’s what I’m trying to do this weekend,” proclaimed Doets, who faces Luke Woodhouse on Saturday – another player to have picked up his maiden ranking title this month.
“Every game is important, and I’m trying to produce my best.
“Luke [Woodhouse] just won his first ever tournament so his confidence will be high, but I’m looking forward to it.”
European Tour debutant Manby dispatched an off-colour Niko Springer 6-3 to claim victory at the first time of asking on the circuit.
The 20-year-old struck an 11-dart leg to take an assertive 4-1 lead, and despite checkouts of 92 and 112 from the German, Manby held his nerve to seal a career-first win against his opponent and advance to round two.
“As soon as I got up here, I felt at home, so it was a good start,” insisted Manby, who will face World Championship semi-finalist Ryan Searle on Saturday.
“The first one is always the best. I’m just grateful to be here in front of a good crowd, and be on stage again.
“I think Ryan and I are both top-quality players. I know I’m good enough as well, and I’ve got the belief in myself that I need to be here.”
Elsewhere, Rob Cross denied Dirk van Duijvenbode in a pulsating content with all 11 legs won on throw to give the former World Champion a much-needed win in the race for the World Matchplay.
The two-time European Champion defied four 180s and two ton-plus checkouts from the Dutchman, and is rewarded with a round two tie against Mike De Decker on Saturday.
“I just kept my nose in front,” affirmed Cross, searching for a third European Tour title.
“It just shows I didn’t need his throw, I needed mine. I was lucky enough to get away with it.
“Mike is a good lad and he will play well tomorrow. Tomorrow is a different day; if I turn up, then I could be great.”
Karel Sedlacek also bagged an important win in his hopes of a maiden World Matchplay appearance by whitewashing Johan Engstrom, with German number one and 2024 champion Martin Schindler awaiting Czechia’s number one.
Krzysztof Ratajski will take on defending champion Stephen Bunting after pipping Cristo Reyes 6-4 in a tortuous affair, capitalising on the Spaniard’s 19 missed darts at double.
Former International Darts Open champion Joe Cullen fought back from 5-3 down to edge past Chris Landman in a last-leg decider, setting up a tasty round two tussle with Ross Smith.
Kim Huybrechts maintained his stellar form this year to defeat Daryl Gurney 6-2 despite having match darts to whitewash the Northern Irishman, and will lock horns with Chris Dobey.
Eight-time European Tour winner Dave Chisnall will face a stern test against James Wade on Saturday, after fending off Home Nation Qualifier Liam Maendl-Lawrence with a hard-fought 6-3 win.
German number two Ricardo Pietreczko battled to a 6-2 victory over Maik Kuivenhoven in a valiant display to set up a round two clash with Danny Noppert, as Niels Zonneveld hit 75% of his doubles to down Keane Barry by the same scoreline to earn a match-up against Australian number one Damon Heta.
William O’Connor and Connor Scutt breezed past Host Nation Qualifiers Paul Krohne and Finn Behrens to set up clashes with Dutch stars Wessel Nijman and Gian Van Veen respectively, with Scutt taking out three ton-plus checkouts in an impressive display.
Cameron Menzies overcame three match darts to defeat Michael Unterbuchner in a last-leg decider and set up a round two clash with Austrian Darts Open champion Josh Rock, while Bradley Brooks will face Jermaine Wattimena after seeing off Andrew Gilding 6-4 in his first win on the European Tour this year.
Ryan Joyce dispatched Jeffrey Sparidaans in a subtly stellar performance to face Christian Kist – a late call-up to replace Gerwyn Price, who withdrew on Friday morning – while Madars Razma will take on European Tour veteran Michael van Gerwen after defeating East European Qualifier Gyorgy Jehirszki.
The Elten Safety Shoes International Darts Open continues from 1200 BST on Saturday, as 16 seeded players enter the fray, including Dutch duo Van Veen and Van Gerwen.
Live coverage from the WT Energiesysteme Arena is being streamed on DAZN for viewers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, with additional coverage available on CANAL+ SPORT 5 and via the CANAL+ streaming service in Poland.
Coverage is also being broadcast on PDCTV (excluding Germany, Austria and Switzerland) and through bookmakers’ worldwide.
Click here for match stats & results in the Tournament Hub.
2026 Elten Safety Shoes International Darts Open
Friday May 22
Afternoon Session
Round One
Ryan Joyce 6-2 Jeffrey Sparidaans
Connor Scutt 6-1 Finn Behrens
Madars Razma 6-2 György Jehirszki
Bradley Brooks 6-4 Andrew Gilding
Cameron Menzies 6-5 Michael Unterbuchner
Karel Sedlacek 6-0 Johan Engström
Ricardo Pietreczko 6-2 Maik Kuivenhoven
Niels Zonneveld 6-2 Keane Barry
Evening Session
Dave Chisnall 6-3 Liam Maendl-Lawrance
Kevin Doets 6-0 Tom Bissell
William O’Connor 6-2 Paul Krohne
Joe Cullen 6-5 Chris Landman
Rob Cross 6-5 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Krzysztof Ratajski 6-4 Cristo Reyes
Charlie Manby 6-3 Niko Springer
Kim Huybrechts 6-2 Daryl Gurney
Saturday May 23
Round Two
Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)
Jermaine Wattimena v Bradley Brooks
Damon Heta v Niels Zonneveld
Luke Woodhouse v Kevin Doets
Danny Noppert v Ricardo Pietreczko
Ross Smith v Joe Cullen
Mike De Decker v Rob Cross
Wessel Nijman v William O’Connor
Josh Rock v Cameron Menzies
Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)
Chris Dobey v Kim Huybrechts
James Wade v Dave Chisnall
Ryan Searle v Niko Springer
Christian Kist v Ryan Joyce
Gian van Veen v Connor Scutt
Michael van Gerwen v Madars Razma
Stephen Bunting v Krzysztof Ratajski
Martin Schindler v Karel Sedlacek
NB: Gerwyn Price has withdrawn from this weekend’s Elten Safety Shoes International Darts Open. Price withdrew before the tournament began, so as per PDC rules, the Welshman is directly replaced in the draw by Christian Kist.