Defending champion Luke Humphries halted Beau Greaves' historic momentum at the Czech Darts Open, securing a 6‑2 triumph on Saturday night. Humphries’ victory not only ended Greaves’ groundbreaking run but also propelled him into the last‑16 stage of the tournament. The evening also featured a strong showing from teenager Luke Littler, who made a notable return to the European Tour circuit in Prague.
Littler’s performance was complemented by second‑round wins from seasoned competitors Michael van Gerwen, Dutch newcomer Gian van Veen, and Wales’ own Gerwyn Price. In contrast, Stephen Bunting suffered a setback, falling to Luke Woodhouse in the day’s final match. Greaves had made history just a day earlier by becoming the first woman to win a match on a European Tour stage.
Her achievement was celebrated across the darts community, but Humphries, playing at world number two, responded with an impressive average just under 109, ensuring his place among the remaining sixteen players. The match began with Greaves firing a rapid 13‑dart leg, showcasing the composure that had carried her to victory the previous day.
Humphries answered swiftly, taking legs of 12 and 14 darts to seize an early lead. The three‑time Women’s World Matchplay champion displayed resilience, narrowing the gap to a single leg with her second winning leg.
However, Humphries then produced a run of three consecutive legs, sealing the encounter and moving on to the next round. Reflecting on the contest, 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 underscored the growing respect for women’s darts and highlighted the competitive parity emerging on the sport’s biggest stages.
Next up for Humphries is a Sunday afternoon clash with Andrew Gilding, the former UK Open champion who dispatched Nathan Aspinall 6‑2 earlier in the day. Gilding’s win over the English star demonstrated his own resurgence and sets up a compelling showdown between two experienced campaigners. Littler’s return to the European Tour was nothing short of spectacular. The young Englishman faced Germany’s Niko Springer and posted a dazzling 108.59 average, a figure that would be impressive for any player, let alone a teenager making his comeback.
Littler’s composure under pressure and his ability to maintain a high scoring rate suggest a bright future on the tour. World number one Michael van Gerwen, fresh from retaining his World Matchplay crown, continued his strong form by edging a 6‑4 victory, positioning himself for a contest against Poland’s Krzysztof Ratajski, who had beaten Jermaine Wattimena 6‑2 earlier. Van Gerwen’s relentless pursuit of his first Czech Darts Open title remains a central storyline, and his match against Ratajski promises high‑octane darts.
Gian van Veen, the Dutch prodigy, produced a dominant 6‑1 win over Jeffrey De Graaf and now awaits a showdown with Ross Smith in round three. Van Veen, fresh off a Hungarian Darts Trophy triumph, is eyeing a back‑to‑back European Tour victory, a feat that would cement his status as one of the continent’s rising stars. Welsh pair Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price also progressed to the final day in Prague. Clayton overcame Damon Heta, while Price dispatched Callan Rydz, setting up further high‑profile matches.
Price will meet Scotland’s Cameron Menzies, who eliminated fellow Scot Gary Anderson 6‑3, whereas Clayton is slated to face Keane Barry, who secured his spot with a 6‑4 win over seeded Chris Dobey. Van Gerwen’s quest for his inaugural Czech Darts Open trophy continued as he moved into round three with a 6‑4 victory over Mario Vandenbogaerde. He will now face fellow Dutchman Wessel Nijman in what promises to be one of the afternoon’s marquee duels.
Nijman earned his place by overcoming Martin Schindler in a dramatic finish. Schindler produced a brilliant 170 checkout but missed a crucial double in the deciding leg, allowing Nijman to clinch the win.
Their upcoming encounter with Van Gerwen will test both players’ stamina and precision. Northern Irish competitor Josh Rock will square off against Irishman William O’Connor, after each defeated Ryan Joyce and Ryan Searle respectively to book their round‑three slots.
Their match adds another layer of intrigue, showcasing talent from the British Isles. Luke Woodhouse capped the evening’s action with a superb 6‑4 win over Stephen Bunting, averaging over 105. Woodhouse’s performance earned him a place against Dutch veteran Danny Noppert, who had previously dispatched Kevin Doets 6‑1.
Woodhouse’s high average indicates he is in excellent form heading into the last‑16. The tournament now moves into the last‑16 stage on Sunday afternoon, followed by quarter‑finals, semi‑finals, and the final in a packed evening session. The schedule lists an afternoon session beginning at 12:00 BST and an evening session commencing at 18:00 BST.
Sky Sports remains the primary broadcaster for darts, delivering live coverage of 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). Fans can also stream matches and additional content via NOW TV without a long‑term contract, ensuring continuous access to the sport’s biggest moments.