Defending champion Luke Humphries halted Beau Greaves' historic surge at the Czech Darts Open, securing a 6‑2 win on Saturday night. The Englishman’s performance not only ended Greaves’ remarkable run but also guaranteed his place in the last‑16 round of the tournament. The evening also featured a strong showing from teenage prodigy Luke Littler, who made a triumphant return to the European Tour in Prague. Littler dispatched Germany’s Niko Springer with an eye‑catching 108.59 average, signalling that his comeback was anything but tentative.
Meanwhile, seasoned campaigners Michael van Gerwyn, Gian van Veen and Gerwyn Price all recorded second‑round victories, keeping their title hopes alive. In contrast, former UK Open champion Stephen Bunting suffered a disappointing loss, falling to Luke Woodhouse in the final match of the day. Woodhouse’s 6‑4 win was highlighted by an impressive average of over 105, underscoring his sharp form as the tournament progressed. Greaves had made history the previous day by becoming the first woman ever to claim a European Tour title, a milestone that sent shockwaves through the darts community.
Entering the match against Humphries, she opened with a flawless 13‑dart leg, showcasing the same composure that had carried her to victory. Humphries, however, responded swiftly, recording legs of 12 and 14 darts to seize an early lead. The three‑time Women’s World Matchplay champion displayed remarkable resilience, narrowing the deficit to a single leg with her second visit to the oche. Yet Humphries rallied, stringing together three consecutive legs to clinch the match.
After the win, Humphries praised Greaves, saying, "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 reflected both respect for his opponent and confidence in his own performance. Looking ahead, Humphries is set to meet Andrew Gilding on Sunday afternoon. Gilding earned his spot by defeating Nathan Aspinall 6‑2, showcasing a level of play that could pose a genuine challenge for the defending champion.
Littler’s return to the European Tour stage was nothing short of impressive. After his dominant win over Springer, he continued his march by posting a 108.59 average – a figure that would be impressive for any player, let alone a teenager making his first appearance on the tour since his earlier breakthrough. His composure under pressure and ability to maintain high scoring throughout the match suggest a bright future for the young Englishman. World number one Michael van Gerwyn, fresh from retaining his World Matchplay crown, entered the Czech Open with confidence.
He recorded a 6‑4 victory, setting up a clash with Krzysztof Ratajski, who had comfortably beaten Jermaine Wattimena 6‑2 earlier in the day. Van Gerwyn’s consistent scoring and clinical finishing make him a formidable contender for the title. Gian van Veen continued his strong form, cruising to a 6‑1 win over Jeffrey De Graaf. He now faces Ross Smith in round three, hoping to replicate his recent success at the Hungarian Darts Trophy, where he secured back‑to‑back victories on the European Tour.
Welsh representatives Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price also progressed to the final day in Prague. Clayton overcame Damon Heta, while Price dispatched Callan Rydz, setting up a potential showdown with fellow Scotsman Cameron Menzies, who had beaten Gary Anderson 6‑3. Meanwhile, Keane Barry earned his place in the last‑16 by defeating seeded player Chris Dobey 6‑4, highlighting the depth of talent among the younger ranks.
Michael van Gerwyn’s quest for his first Czech Darts Open crown remains alive after a 6‑4 triumph over Mario Vandenbogaerde. He will now face compatriot Wessel Nijman in what promises to be a compelling Dutch duel. Nijman, fresh from a hard‑fought win against Martin Schindler – a match that featured a spectacular 170 checkout and a missed crucial double in the decider – will be eager to continue his momentum.
Northern Irish hopeful Josh Rock will meet Irishman William O’Connor in round three after both players dispatched their respective opponents, Ryan Joyce and Ryan Searle, in the previous round. Their encounter adds another layer of intrigue to the advancing field. The evening concluded with Luke Woodhouse’s decisive 6‑4 victory over Stephen Bunting, a match in which Woodhouse averaged above 105 and demonstrated why he is considered a dangerous opponent on any stage. His next challenge will be against Dutchman Danny Noppert, who secured a 6‑1 win over Kevin Doets earlier in the session.
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. Fans can tune in to Sky Sports for live coverage, with additional streaming options available via NOW without a contract. Upcoming major events include 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), ensuring a busy calendar for darts enthusiasts.