High-flying Hawkeye steals the show on the opening day of the PDC International Darts Open
High-flying Hawkeye steals the show on the opening day of the PDC International Darts Open originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Kevin Doets stole the show on the opening day of the International Darts Open in Riesa.
It has been a breakthrough year for the Dutch-born Swedish resident, nicknamed Hawkeye, and he once again produced an outstanding display, whitewashing Tom Bissell with a superb ton-plus average to set up an intriguing second-round clash against familiar opponent Luke Woodhouse. A month ago, the pair had never previously met, yet this encounter will mark their third meeting in as many weeks. Doets recently claimed his maiden PDC ProTour title by defeating Woodhouse on German soil.
DARTS PLAYER MERCHANDISE AND COLLECTABLES AT OUR DARTSWORLD STORE! Former tournament champion Joe Cullen eventually came through a scrappy yet dramatic contest against Chris Landman. Cullen will hope to deliver an improved performance when he faces fellow Englishman Ross Smith in round two.
Following the late withdrawal of Gerwyn Price, former Lakeside champion Christian Kist was handed a place in the draw and will now face Ryan Joyce after Joyce defeated Jeffrey Sparidaans on Friday. Another player to receive a late call-up following the withdrawal of Michael Smith was Rob Cross. After edging past Dirk van Duijvenbode, Cross now faces fellow major winner Mike De Decker.
Meanwhile, Daryl Gurney suffered a first-round exit against a resurgent Kim Huybrechts, who now takes on Chris Dobey. Top seed Gian van Veen begins his bid for European Tour glory against Connor Scutt after Scutt comfortably defeated home nation qualifier Finn Behrens. The other leading Dutch contender in the field, Michael van Gerwen, who is still seeking his first International Darts Open title, will face Madars Razma after the Latvian eased past Eastern European qualifier György Jehirszki.