Czech Darts Open resumes in Prague with Littler and Van Gerwen

The Gambrinus Czech Darts Open resumed in Prague on Saturday after a dramatic opening day that produced shocks and decisive performances, as 48 players compete for a £175,000 prize fund at the PVA Expo from September 5 to 7. Reigning champion Luke Humphries begins his title defence in Saturday evening’s session after seeded players entered at the second‑round stage, while rising star Luke Littler and Dutch great Michael van Gerwen are among the headline names in the field.

Friday’s first round delivered several notable results that reshaped the draw. Host‑nation qualifier Benjamin Pratnemer stunned former German Darts Championship winner Ricardo Pietreczko 6-4 to advance and will meet Peter Wright in round two. Krzysztof Ratajski produced a clinical 6-1 victory over Raymond van Barneveld, a result organisers said has immediate consequences for the European Tour Order of Merit as Ratajski leapfrogs Van Barneveld into the qualifying places for October’s European Championship. Other winners included Dirk van Duijvenbode, Gian van Veen, Nathan Aspinall, Mike De Decker and Niko Springer, who beat Joe Cullen in a tight finish.

The PDC European Tour event sees the top 16 seeds enter on...