Defending champion Luke Humphries halted Beau Greaves' historic run at the Czech Darts Open, securing a 6‑2 win on Saturday night. The Englishman’s performance not only ended Greaves’ remarkable breakthrough but also cemented his place in the last‑16 round of the tournament.
The event in Prague also featured a strong showing from teenage prodigy Luke Littler, who made a triumphant return to the European Tour stage. Littler dispatched Germany’s Niko Springer with an eye‑popping 108.59 average, signalling that the youngster remains a force to be reckoned with on the circuit. Other notable victories in the second round included Michael van Gerwen, who continued his pursuit of a first Czech Darts Open title, Gian van Veen, and former world champion Gerwyn Price. In contrast, veteran Stephen Bunting suffered a disappointing defeat at the hands of Luke Woodhouse in the day’s final match, ending his campaign earlier than hoped.
Greaves had made history the previous day by becoming the first woman ever to win a match on a European Tour stage. Her historic win raised the profile of women’s darts and set the tone for an exciting encounter with Humphries. The Englishman entered the match with an average just shy of 109, and his precision proved decisive.
Greaves began brightly, opening the contest with a flawless 13‑dart leg. Humphries responded swiftly, taking legs of 12 and 14 darts to seize an early lead. The three‑time Women’s World Matchplay champion demonstrated remarkable resilience, narrowing the deficit to a single leg with her second winning leg. However, Humphries then rattled off three consecutive legs, effectively sealing the match.
After the victory, 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." The winner of the match will face Andrew Gilding on Sunday afternoon. Gilding, a former UK Open champion, earned his spot by defeating Nathan Aspinall 6‑2, showcasing his own high‑level form. Littler’s return to the European Tour was equally impressive. After his dominant display against Springer, the young Englishman continued his march, displaying a composure beyond his years.
His 108.59 average highlighted his scoring power, and his victory added another chapter to his rapidly growing résumé. World No. 1 Michael van Gerwen, fresh from retaining his World Matchplay crown, entered the Prague event with confidence. He won his second‑round match 6‑4, setting up a clash with Poland’s Krzysztof Ratajski, who had comfortably beaten Jermaine Wattimena 6‑2 earlier in the day.
Gian van Veen produced a convincing 6‑1 win over Jeffrey De Graaf and will meet Ross Smith in the third round. Van Veen, the previous week’s Hungarian Darts Trophy champion, is eyeing a back‑to‑back European Tour triumph after a 6‑1 demolition of Stephen Burton. Welsh duo Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price also progressed to the final day.
Clayton overcame Damon Heta, while Price dispatched Callan Rydz, ensuring both remain in contention for the title. Price’s next opponent will be Cameron Menzies, who secured a 6‑3 victory over fellow Scot Gary Anderson.
Meanwhile, Clayton is slated to face Keane Barry, who earned his place by beating seeded player Chris Dobey 6‑4. Van Gerwen’s quest for a maiden Czech Darts Open crown continued as he advanced with a 6‑4 win over Mario Vandenbogaerde. His upcoming third‑round opponent will be Dutchman Wessel Nijman, a match expected to be one of the day’s highlights. Nijman earned his spot by edging out Martin Schindler in a dramatic finish.
Schindler produced a spectacular 170 checkout, but missed a crucial high‑score dart in the deciding leg, allowing Nijman to clinch the win. Northern Irish contender Josh Rock will meet Irishman William O'Connor in round three after both players dispatched their respective opponents—Rock beat Ryan Joyce, and O'Connor overcame Ryan Searle. Luke Woodhouse capped off the evening’s action with a superb 6‑4 victory over Stephen Bunting, posting an average above 105. Woodhouse’s win sets up a quarter‑final clash with Dutchman Danny Noppert, who advanced after a dominant 6‑1 win over Kevin Doets.
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. Match times are slated for an afternoon slot at 12:00 BST and an evening slot at 18:00 BST.
Sky Sports continues to be 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). Fans can also stream live coverage and additional content via NOW TV without a long‑term contract.