Belgian Darts Open: Ryan Searle sets up Luke Littl...

Ryan Searle arrange a showdown with world champion Luke Littler and Mike De Decker booked a reunion with world No 1 Luke Humphries throughout day one of many Lecot Belgian Darts Open.

Searle opened his problem with a powerful 6-2 win in opposition to Darryl Pilgrim, reserving a second-round assembly with defending champion Littler – who received on debut final 12 months – on Saturday night.

Dwelling favorite De Decker overcame a significant scare in opposition to Thomas Pretty on the Oktoberhallen, the place he survived two match darts when 5-4 down earlier than coming via a final-leg decider.

The 29-year-old will now go head-to-head on the massive stage with Humphries for the primary time since De Decker beat him to assert a TV title in October’s BoyleSports World Grand Prix.

“This crowd have been superb for the final 4 years, and I am so completely satisfied I might get via for them tonight,” mirrored De Decker. “I simply needed to play nicely.

“I used to be taking part in rather well backstage, however I am nonetheless looking for confidence with my set-up. Tomorrow I’d ask Luke if we are able to play double-in double-out, as a result of then I do know I can win!”

Daryl Gurney was Friday’s stand-out performer, averaging 106 and touchdown a brace of ton-plus finishes to dispatch Thibault Tricole 6-1 and safe a second-round conflict in opposition to Danny Noppert.

Dutch duo Dirk van Duijvenbode and Gian van Veen additionally celebrated comeback victories, overturning 4-1 deficits in opposition to Darius Labanauskas and James Hurrell respectively.

Michael Smith was among the many different high-profile first-round winners, changing a sensational 125 end on the bull en path to a 6-5 success in opposition to a tenacious Ryan Joyce, whereas Raymond van Barneveld progressed and can face UK Open runner-up James Wade on Saturday.

European Champion Ritchie Edhouse ran out a 6-4 winner in opposition to Owen Bates in a high-quality affair and can now play a resurgent Nathan Aspinall for a spot within the final 16, with the second spherical performed throughout two classes on Saturday.

Saturday’s schedule and second-round draw

Afternoon Session (12pm)
Danny Noppert vs Daryl Gurney
Gary Anderson vs Luke Woodhouse
Dave Chisnall vs Ricardo Pietreczko
Jonny Clayton vs Wessel Nijman
Rob Cross vs Ross Smith
Damon Heta vs Michael Smith
Stephen Bunting vs Jermaine Wattimena
Nathan Aspinall vs Ritchie Edhouse

Night Session (6pm)
James Wade vs Raymond van Barneveld
Peter Wright vs Matt Campbell
Gerwyn Worth vs Gian van Veen
Dimitri Van den Bergh v Schindler/Lengthy
Luke Humphries vs Mike De Decker
Luke Littler vs Ryan Searle
Michael van Gerwen vs Boris Krcmar
Chris Dobey vs Dirk van Duijvenbode

Sunday March 9
Afternoon Session (12pm)
Third Spherical

Night Session (6pm)
Quarter-Finals
Semi-Finals
Ultimate

The place does the Premier League head subsequent?

The Premier League continues on the Motorpoint Area, Nottingham on Thursday, March 13 as Luke Humphries and Luke Littler conflict in a titanic encounter. Watch Evening Six of Premier League Darts, in Nottingham, dwell on Sky Sports activities Predominant Occasion and Sky Sports activities Motion from 7pm – stream with NOW.

Sky Sports activities will as soon as once more be the house of the Premier League in 2025, with each evening solely dwell together with the World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and extra! Stream darts and more top sport with NOW