Belgian Darts Open: Luke Littler edges Jose de Sousa, James Wade beats Raymond van Barneveld

World Championship runner-up Littler defeated Portuguese De Sousa 6-5, having survived two match darts, to set up a round-two clash with Poland’s Krzysztof Ratajski.

Littler, who averaged 101.86 and registered eight 180s, said in quotes on the PDC’s official website: “I’ve always said that I love playing in front of a massive crowd.

“I’m glad to get through. I know that my scoring is there, so I will have a good rest tonight and come here tomorrow and practise those doubles.”

Peter Wright beat Geert De Vos 6-2 to advance to a meeting with Michael van Gerwen, while Nathan Aspinall crashed out with a 6-3 loss to Richard Veenstra.

James Wade will face world number one and reigning world champion Luke Humphries after fighting back from 4-2 down to defeat Raymond van Barneveld 6-5.

Friday’s action also saw Belgian number one Dimitri van den Bergh, winner of the UK Open last weekend, beaten 6-5 by Stephen Bunting.

 

First round results:

Berry van Peer 6-3 Daniel Klose
Ryan Joyce 6-3 Andrew Gilding
Lukas Wenig 6-3 Born Van Put
Jermaine Wattimena 6-0 Daryl Gurney
Luke Woodhouse 6-3 James Hurrell
Brendan Dolan 6-2 Steven Strobbe
Chris Dobey 6-3 Romeo Grbavac
Andreas Harrysson 6-1 Gian van Veen
Mike De Decker 6-5 Chris Landman
Joe Cullen 6-1 Martin Schindler
Gabriel Clemens 6-0 Jeroen Caron
Luke Littler 6-5 Jose de Sousa
Peter Wright 6-2 Geert De Vos
James Wade 6-5 Raymond van Barneveld
Stephen Bunting 6-5 Dimitri Van den Bergh
Richard Veenstra 6-3 Nathan Aspinall