Luke Littler Defends Belgian Darts Open Title Amidst Upsets and Strong Performances
Wieze, Belgium – Luke Littler began his defense of the Belgian Darts Open title with a commanding 6-2 victory over Boris Krcmar, showcasing an impressive average of 104.7. The tournament, held at the Oktoberhallen in Wieze, also saw notable performances from Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, and Jonny Clayton, alongside surprising early exits for Stephen Bunting and James Wade.
Littler Powers Through in Wieze
Just two days after a dramatic 6-5 comeback win against Gerwyn Price in the Premier League in Dublin, Littler continued his strong form. He quickly established a 4-0 lead against Krcmar, demonstrating clinical finishing with double 19s. Despite missing five match darts in the seventh leg, Littler rebounded with consecutive 180s to secure the win.
Humphries Survives Scare Against Van Duijvenbode
World number two Luke Humphries faced a tougher challenge against Dirk van Duijvenbode, ultimately winning 6-4. Humphries initially raced to a 4-0 lead, but van Duijvenbode fought back, nearly forcing a deciding leg before Humphries capitalized on a crucial opportunity to close out the match with an average of 100.25.
Van Gerwen and Clayton Advance
Michael van Gerwen also secured a 6-4 win, defeating Mickey Mansell, while Jonny Clayton had a comfortable victory over Sebastian Bialecki. However, the tournament saw early upsets as James Wade and Stephen Bunting were eliminated in their second-round matches by Cristo Reyes and Andy Baetens, respectively.
Belgian Players See Mixed Results
Andy Baetens delighted the home crowd with a 6-4 win over Stephen Bunting, capitalizing on the latter’s inconsistent performance. Kim Huybrechts also delivered a victory for Belgium, defeating Josh Rock 6-4 after a strong finish, winning the last four legs of the match. Unfortunately, Mike De Decker suffered a narrow 5-6 loss to Niels Zonneveld, requiring him to requalify from the fifth European Tour event.
Reyes Continues Strong Form
Cristo Reyes continued his impressive run, reaching the last 16 for the second time this season with a 6-2 win over James Wade.
Looking Ahead: Round of 16 and Beyond
The round of 16 is scheduled for Sunday, March 22, 2026, starting at 1:00 PM CET. The evening session, featuring the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final, will commence at 7:00 PM CET. The tournament is being broadcast live on DAZN and Pluto TV.
Round of 16 Matches (March 22, 2026)
- Luke Littler vs. Niels Zonneveld
- Danny Noppert vs. Ryan Searle
- Jonny Clayton vs. Ross Smith
- Andy Baetens vs. Martin Schindler
- Luke Humphries vs. Jermaine Wattimena
- Kim Huybrechts vs. Chris Dobey
- Michael van Gerwen vs. Daryl Gurney
- Cristo Reyes vs. Ryan Joyce
Prize Money Breakdown (2026)
- Winner: £35,000
- Runner-Up: £15,000
- Semifinals: £10,000
- Quarterfinals: £8,000
- Round of 16: £5,000
- 2nd Round: £3,500
- 1st Round: £2,000
- Total: £230,000
Source: The Independent, The Sun, PDC Facebook, Facebook Group