Woodhouse boosts World GP qualification bid
Luke Woodhouse’s excellent 6-5 defeat of Gerwyn Price boosted more than his hopes of Antwerp glory.
The Englishman’s triumph strengthened his chances of qualifying for the World Grand Prix.
It also sent Price to a second straight early KO on the European Tour.
Nonetheless, the Welshman battled back from 4-2 down, even having a shot at bull for final-leg glory.
Instead the Iceman missed and Woodhouse stayed cool with a 76 checkout.
He now faces Gian van Veen in the third round today.
Humphries preparing to get ‘dangerous’
Luke Humphries reckons getting past Ryan Joyce on Sunday lunchtime will be the key to making him “dangerous”!
The world No 1 smoothly saw off Ritchie Edhouse 6-3 despite his fellow Englishman producing two ton checkouts.
The world champion said: “It was a fantastic game, and I had to dig deep to get the job done,
“I knew I had a tough game on my hands, and Ritchie played really well there, but it was a solid performance.
“I’m looking forward to tomorrow now, and if I can get through that first game, that’s when I become dangerous.”
Littler on fire
There was more fireworks from Luke Littler in Belgium, with The Nuke averaging an incredible 111 to beat Jermaine Wattimena – who can count himself unlucky having averages 103 in a high quality game.
Littler said: “I knew I played well and I had to, because Jermaine threw everything at me.
“I couldn’t afford to step off the gas because Jermaine was right behind me every time, but I took my chances.
“I love playing in Belgium. The crowds are amazing here and they just love their darts.”
The teenager plays Dirk van Duijvenbode on Sunday.
Top seed through
There was no issues for world No 1 and top seed Luke Humphries who beat Ritchie Edhouse 6-3 to set up a third round clash against Ryan Joyce.
The reigning world champion said: “It was a fantastic game, and I had to dig deep to get the job done,
“I knew I had a tough game on my hands, and Ritchie played really well there, but it was a solid performance.
“I’m looking forward to tomorrow now, and if I can get through that first game, that’s when I become dangerous.”
Van Gerwen crashes out
Well not many of us would have seen that coming, Michael van Gerwen crashing out in his first match of the weekend against Gabriel Clemens.
It was the first time Clemens has defeated Van Gerwen and the German, currently ranked No 25 in the world, couldn’t have been more thrilled.
He said: “This is my first win over Michael and it’s amazing for me.
“In my opinion Michael is the best player in the world – he is a legend!
“I hope I can produce this type of performance more often, but I’m just lost for words!”
Tonight’s results
Stephen Bunting 6-3 Scott Williams
Gerwyn Price 5-6 Luke Woodhouse
Danny Noppert 6-2 Raymond Van Barneveld
Michael Van Gerwen 4-6 Gabriel Clemens
Martin Schindler 2-6 Peter Wright
Luke Humphries 6-3 Ritchie Edhouse
Ricardo Pietreczko 6-5 Andrew Gilding
Luke Littler 6-1 Jermaine Wattimena