Cameron Menzies stole the show on the opening day of the Elten Safety Shoes European Darts Grand Prix, while three former champions were eliminated in Sindelfingen. The year's fifth European Tour event kicked off with an action-packed day at the Glaspalast, where Menzies produced a dazzling performance to defeat a spirited Raymond van Barneveld 6-3.
The 36-year-old finished with a flourish, winning legs of 11, 13, and 13 darts to secure a 104.5 average and register his fifth consecutive victory over the Dutch legend. Menzies will face former European Champion Ross Smith in the next round. Van Barneveld was not the only former World Champion to exit the tournament in Sindelfingen, as Rob Cross and Peter Wright lost to Mickey Mansell and Jeffrey de Zwaan respectively. Other notable results included the elimination of 2019 champion Ian White, who lost 6-2 to European Darts Trophy champion Wessel Nijman.
Kim Huybrechts, however, avoided the same fate as Cross, Wright, and White, beating Dirk van Duijvenbode to begin his bid for a second European Darts Grand Prix title. The tournament will continue on Saturday, with several high-profile matches scheduled, including Niko Springer against defending champion Gary Anderson and Michael Unterbuchner against two-time champion Michael van Gerwen.