Defending champion Luke Humphries put an end to Beau Greaves' historic run at the Czech Darts Open, securing a 6-2 win on Saturday night. The match was a showcase of Humphries' consistency and composure, as he maintained an average just under 109, a figure that underlines his status among the sport's elite.
Greaves, who had already made headlines by becoming the first woman ever to claim a victory on a European Tour stage the previous day, fought valiantly but ultimately could not overcome the seasoned Englishman. The opening leg saw Greaves explode onto the scene with a flawless 13‑dart finish, signalling that she was ready to challenge the best.
Humphries, ranked world number two, answered with legs of 12 and 14 darts, quickly establishing a lead. The three‑time Women’s World Matchplay champion displayed remarkable resilience, narrowing the gap to a single leg with her second winning leg.
However, Humphries responded with a streak of three consecutive legs, sealing the encounter and booking his place in the last‑16 round. After the match, a humbled Humphries praised his opponent: "She’s an amazing player, she pushed me all the way. It was a couple of bits towards the end of the match that got me through in the end. She's just a great dart player.
If I had lost today, I wouldn't have been disgraced – I would have lost to a really great dart player." His comments highlighted both respect for Greaves and confidence in his own performance. Meanwhile, on the same evening Luke Littler made a triumphant return to the European Tour in Prague. The young English prodigy dispatched Germany’s Niko Springer with an eye‑catching 108.59 average, demonstrating that his earlier success on the circuit was no fluke.
Littler’s fluid throwing style and calm under pressure earned him a comfortable victory and positioned him as a serious contender for the upcoming rounds. Other notable results from the second round included Michael van Gerwen, Gian van Veen and Gerwyn Price, each securing wins that kept their campaigns alive. Van Gerwen, the Dutch superstar, continued his pursuit of a first Czech Darts Open title with a 6-4 triumph over Mario Vandenbogaerde, setting up a compelling third‑round clash with fellow Dutchman Wessel Nijman. Van Veen, fresh off his Hungarian Darts Trophy victory, ran away with a 6-1 win against Jeffrey De Graaf and will meet Ross Smith in round three, eyeing a possible back‑to‑back European Tour success.
In the Welsh contingent, Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price both advanced to the final day in Prague. Clayton overcame Damon Heta, while Price dispatched Callan Rydz, ensuring that the Welsh flag remained well represented as the tournament moved into its decisive stages. Price will face Cameron Menzies, who had beaten compatriot Gary Anderson 6-3, whereas Clayton is set to meet rising Irish star Keane Barry, who earned his place with a 6-4 victory over seeded Chris Dobey. Stephen Bunting, a former UK Open champion, suffered a disappointing loss to Luke Woodhouse in the day’s final match.
Woodhouse, playing with an impressive average above 105, secured a 6-4 win and will now confront Dutchman Danny Noppert, who breezed past Kevin Doets 6-1 earlier in the session. The afternoon session also featured a compelling encounter between Northern Irishman Josh Rock and Irishman William O’Connor, both of whom had dispatched Ryan Joyce and Ryan Searle respectively to reach round three. Their upcoming showdown promises a tightly contested battle, reflecting the depth of talent on the European Tour. The tournament’s schedule for Sunday promises a packed agenda: the last‑16 matches will commence in the early afternoon, followed by quarter‑finals, semi‑finals and the final in a single, action‑filled evening session.
Fans can tune in to Sky Sports, which remains the primary broadcaster for darts, covering upcoming marquee events such as the World Grand Prix (28 September–4 October), the Grand Slam of Darts (14–22 November) and the World Darts Championship (10 December–3 January). Live streaming is also available via NOW without a contract, ensuring that enthusiasts worldwide can follow every dart thrown throughout the season.