Luke Littler got his Czech Open campaign off to a flying start with a confident 6-2 win over Cameron Menzies in Prague.

The world champion headlined Saturday’s late session at the PVA Expo, soon building a 3-0 lead having broken Menzies’ throw in the second leg.

Littler’s pace dropped after Menzies had got on the board with a hold, but another clinical break in the eighth leg swiftly wrapped up victory as the 18-year-old looks to land back-to-back European Tour titles following his Flanders Darts Trophy success last week.

World No 1 Luke Humphries began his Czech Open title defence with a scrappy 6-4 win over Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode as both men struggled on doubles.

Three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen whitewashed Mike De Decker 6-0 with a staggering 112.73 average to charge into Finals Day with a stunning 112.73 match average and a top finish of 154 and he will now face Josh Rock who came through 6-2 against William O’Connor, finding a 101 finish featuring two bullseyes in a stand-out moment.

“To do this again feels amazing, it’s been a while for me,” said an elated Van Gerwen.

“I think I played a fantastic game, the first four or five legs especially were of a very high standard.

“It’s been hard for me the last year or so, my confidence level hasn’t been great but if I keep working hard I can keep producing performances like this.

“If I play my game I can beat anyone on any day, but I need to do it more often.”

James Wade landed five maximums and hit 75 per cent on checkouts as he beat Nathan Aspinall 6-3.

Rob Cross had opened the evening session with an impressive 6-1 win over Poland’s Krzysztof Ratajski.

Welshman Gerwyn Price coasted past Germany’s Niko Springer 6-2 while world No 4 Steven Bunting beat Kevin Doets 6-4 to also reach the last 16.

In the afternoon session, Dutchman Wessel Nijman had edged out ninth seed Damon Heta in a last-leg decider.

Two-time world champion Peter Wright was a 6-2 winner over Slovenia’s Benjamin Pratnemer, while Ryan Searle averaged 102.55 in his 6-4 defeat of Dave Chisnall.

There were also second-round wins for Jonny Clayton, Ross Smith, Jermaine Wattimena, Martin Schindler and Dutchman Gian van Veen, who will next face Littler in a replay of the 2023 World Youth Championship final.

Second Round results:

• Ross Smith 6-4 Andrew Gilding
• Martin Schindler 6-3 Madars Razma
• Wessel Nijman 6-5 Damon Heta
• Jermaine Wattimena 6-2 Chris Dobey
• Gian van Veen 6-2 Danny Noppert
• Ryan Searle 6-4 Dave Chisnall
• Peter Wright 6-2 Benjamin Pratnemer
• Jonny Clayton 6-2 Ryan Joyce
• Rob Cross 6-1 Krzysztof Ratajski
• Gerwyn Price 6-2 Niko Springer
• Stephen Bunting 6-4 Kevin Doets
• James Wade 6-3 Nathan Aspinall
• Luke Humphries 6-4 Dirk van Duijvenbode
• Luke Littler 6-2 Cameron Menzies
• Michael van Gerwen 6-0 Mike De Decker
• Josh Rock 6-2 William O’Connor

Sunday September 7: Round Three

Afternoon session

• Luke Humphries vs Martin Schindler
• Rob Cross vs Wessel Nijman
• Stephen Bunting vs Peter Wright
• James Wade vs Ross Smith
• Luke Littler vs Gian van Veen
• Gerwyn Price vs Jonny Clayton
• Michael van Gerwen vs Josh Rock
• Jermaine Wattimena vs Ryan Searle

Evening Session

• Quarter-Finals
• Semi-Finals
• Final

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