The defending champion, Luke Humphries, put an end to Beau Greaves' groundbreaking run at the Czech Darts Open on Saturday night, securing a 6‑2 triumph that halted the young Englishwoman’s momentum. Greaves had made history just a day earlier by becoming the first female player ever to win a match on a European Tour stage, a milestone that drew widespread attention and praise.
Humphries, however, responded with a clinical performance, averaging just under 109 points per three darts, and booked his place in the last‑16 round of the tournament. The match opened with Greaves firing a flawless 13‑dart leg, showcasing the composure that had carried her to victory the previous evening. Humphries, ranked world number two, answered with legs of 12 and 14 darts, quickly establishing an early lead. Greaves showed remarkable resilience, narrowing the gap to a single leg with her second turn, but Humphries then rattled off three consecutive legs, sealing the encounter and moving on to the next stage.
After the match, Humphries praised his opponent, 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 highlighted the respect he holds for Greaves and underscored the significance of her achievement, even in defeat.
Meanwhile, fellow Englishman Luke Littler made a striking return to the European Tour in Prague. The 19‑year‑old prodigy faced Germany’s Niko Springer and delivered an outstanding performance, posting a 108.59 three‑dart average. Littler’s victory not only demonstrated his rapid development but also signaled his intent to become a regular contender on the tour.
Other notable results from the second round included Michael van Gerwen, who continued his pursuit of a first Czech Darts Open title with a 6‑4 win over Mario Vandenbogaerde, and Gerwyn Price, who progressed after a solid win against his opponent. Dutch youngster Gian van Veen also advanced, dispatching Jeffrey De Graaf 6‑1 before a scheduled clash with Ross Smith in the third round.
Van Veen, fresh from his Hungarian Darts Trophy triumph, is hoping to replicate that success in Prague. The day also saw a surprising upset as Stephen Bunting fell to Luke Woodhouse in the final match of the session. Woodhouse produced a superb 6‑4 victory, averaging over 105, and will now meet Dutchman Danny Noppert, who had earlier dispatched Kevin Doets 6‑1. Woodhouse’s form suggests he could be a dark horse as the tournament moves into its knockout stages.
In the Welsh contingent, Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price both secured places on the final day. Clayton overcame Damon Heta, while Price defeated Callan Rydz, setting up a potential showdown with fellow countryman Cameron Menzies, who had beaten Gary Anderson 6‑3. Keane Barry, another rising Irish talent, earned his spot by defeating seeded Chris Dobey 6‑4, and will face Clayton in the upcoming round. The Dutch representation remained strong.
After van Gerwen’s win, he will face compatriot Wessel Nijman in what promises to be a marquee tie. Nijman had earlier survived a tense battle against Martin Schindler, where Schindler hit a spectacular 170 checkout but missed a crucial double in the decider, allowing Nijman to edge through. Northern Irish hopeful Josh Rock also progressed, set to meet Irishman William O'Connor after both men recorded victories over Ryan Joyce and Ryan Searle respectively.
Their clash adds another layer of intrigue to the third‑round lineup. The tournament schedule for Sunday is packed: the last‑16 matches will commence in the early afternoon, followed by quarter‑finals, semi‑finals, and the final in a high‑energy evening session.
Broadcast times are listed as 12:00 BST for the afternoon session and 18:00 BST for the evening action, with Sky Sports providing comprehensive coverage. In addition to the Czech Darts Open, Sky Sports will also be the home of several major events later in the year, including 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 stream all these events via NOW without a contract, ensuring continuous access to top‑level darts throughout the season. Overall, the Czech Darts Open has delivered a blend of historic moments, such as Greaves’ groundbreaking win, and high‑quality darts from established stars and emerging talents alike.
With the field narrowing and the stakes rising, the upcoming rounds promise further excitement, dramatic comebacks, and perhaps the emergence of a new champion on the European Tour stage.