Darts results: Michael van Gerwen defeats Michael Smith in round two of the European Darts Matchplay

By Sporting Life

Darts

Sat September 08, 2019 · 5y ago

Defending champion Michael van Gerwen overcame Michael Smith 6-2 to reach the third round of the European Darts Matchplay in Germany.

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In front of a packed crowd at the Maimarkthalle in Mannheim, Bully Boy averaged slightly better with 97 compared to MVG's 95 but a dominant display of doubling was key for the world champion as he landed six of his 10 attempts as Smith spurned seven of his nine.

Despite falling 2-1 behind early on, Van Gerwen won five straight legs to take the victory and progress.

Last weekend's runner-up at the Austrian Darts Championship will now have the chance to get revenge on the player who beat him in the final, Mensur Suljovic, in Sunday's third round.

Averaging 101.97 - the highest of the evening - the Suljovic raced to a 5-0 lead before Kim Huybrechts avoided the whitewash with his solitary leg in a 6-1 defeat.

Last year’s finalist William O’Connor made it to the final day of action as he stunned Peter Wright in a last-leg decider.

The Irishman was clinical on three-figure checkouts, landing finishes of 100, 118 and a match-winning 105 on his way to victory.

Poland’s Krzysztof Ratajski was also pushed to a last-leg decider as he beat Keegan Brown 6-5 to set up a clash with Adrian Lewis, who beat Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-2.

UK Open champion Nathan Aspinall was sent packing in a 6-3 defeat to Wayne Jones, who progressed to the third round of a European Tour event for the first time this year.

Jones raced into a 4-1 lead, and despite Aspinall closing the gap to one at 4-3, the 54-year-old raced on and sealed victory with a 141 checkout.

He will now meet James Wade, who defeated Bradley Brooks 6-2.

Two home-favourites also departed the tournament as Ricky Evans beat Karsten Koch 6-3, and Ian White saw off Gabriel Clemens by the same score line.

And in the final game of the evening, Joe Cullen eased past Jamie Hughes 6-3 to set up a third round clash with O’Connor.

Earlier in the day, Rob Cross and Gerwyn Price were the standout performers of the afternoon.

The latter achieving a 102.16 average in a 6-3 demolition of Simon Stevenson, while Cross whitewashed German qualifier Marvin Wehder.

Dave Chisnall opened the session with a 6-2 victory over 23-year-old Ryan Meikle, with Jonny Clayton following Chisnall into the final day after surviving a scare in a hard-fought 6-4 victory over Scott Taylor.

World Matchplay semi-finalist Glen Durrant safely progressed to the third round as he saw off Cody Harris 6-3, whilst Daryl Gurney beat John Henderson 6-4 to ensure his progression.