Stephen Bunting, Gian van Veen and Michael van Gerwen all made winning starts at the International Darts Open. Darts News

Stephen Bunting launched his defense of the Elten Safety Shoes International Darts Open with a superb display at Risa, as Gian van Veen and Michael van Gerwen also claimed victories on a bumper day.

Bunting completed their BetMGM Premier League campaign with a win at Sheffield Thursday And the Liverpudlian continued his fine form with a 6-2 win over Krzysztof Ratajski.

“I feel great, I feel fresh and I feel ready to win,” declared Bunting, averaging 102.54 and crashing five 180s to punish the Polish No.1.

“I won the Premier League in Berlin last year and then straight away here, so hopefully there’s a lot of similarities!”

Day two saw the seeded stars kick off their campaign at the WT Energiesystem Arena as top seed Van Veen halted a run of three consecutive defeats on the European Tour circuit.

The 24-year-old won 6-3 against Conor Scott, averaging around 97 to set up an interesting all-Dutch tie against Kevin Deets.

“Everyone who’s watched me over the last few weeks knows it’s been tough,” admitted the reigning European champion.

“I haven’t won a match on the European Tour since Göttingen, so I needed this win today.

“Kevin is one of the best Dutch players at the moment, but if I come out tomorrow I’ve got a really good shot and hopefully it’s going to be a great game.”

Dwights continued his fine form with a narrow deciding-leg win over Luke Woodhouse, defying a late fightback to register his third win over Woodhouse in the space of 19 days.

Saturday’s double session featured plenty of comebacks, and van Gerwen was given a big reprieve in her tie against Mothers Rajma, who wasted six match darts.

Van Gerwen had 164 and 127 finishes to beat the Latvian 3-0 and later met Damon Heta, who clinically dispatched Nils Jonveld 6-2 in his opener.

Wessel Nijmann also began his bid for a second European Tour title of 2026 with a comeback win over William O’Connor, turning around a 5-3 deficit to convert 107, 134 and 106 checkouts.

Nijman’s reward is a last-16 meeting with third seed James Wade, who eased into the final day courtesy of a ruthless six-leg whitewash at the expense of a struggling Dave Chisnall.

Cameron Menzies started a sensational 4-0 thrashing of Austrian Darts Open winner Josh Rock, reeling off six consecutive legs to eliminate the Northern Irishman.

Rob Cross also won six legs without reply over Belgian number one Mike de Decker, recovering from 2-0 down to advance with a 99 average and 66 per cent doubles success rate.

Cross will lock horns with reigning champion Bunting in the last 16, while Menzies will play 2024 champion Martin Schindler, who delighted his home crowd with a last-laugh victory over Karel Sedlasek.

Schindler’s World Cup partner Riccardo Pietreco produced a valiant display to eliminate Danny Knoppert in a marathon 36-minute contest, although Knoppert dropped to level at 5-2.

Pitrecco faces Ross Smith on Sunday after the former European champion averaged north of 102 to beat 2020 International Darts Open winner Joe Cullen 6-3.

Ryan Searle and Kim Huibrechts will face each other for a place in the quarter-finals after wins over Charlie Manby and Chris Dobb respectively.

World Championship semi-finalist Searle produced a late surge to brush aside debutant Manby as Huybrechts beat Dobey in a decider for a second consecutive European Tour event.

Elsewhere, Ryan Joyce eased late call-up Christian Keast to earn a match-up against Jermaine Watimena, who beat Bradley Brooks by decision to snap his losing streak at Risa.

The final day at the WT EnergySystem Arena will begin at 11am, with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals taking place from 5pm.

Elten Safety Shoes International Dirt Open
Saturday 23 May
Round two
Afternoon session
Jermaine Watimena 6-5 Bradley Brooks
Damon Heta 6-2 Nils Jonveld
Kevin Deutz 6-5 Luke Woodhouse
Ricardo Pitreco 6-5 Danny Knoppert
Ross Smith 6-3 Joe Cullen
Rob Cross 6-2 Mike D Decker
Wessel Nijman 6-5 William O’Connor
Cameron Menzies 6-4 Josh Rock

Evening session
Kim Huibrechts 6-5 Chris Dobe
James Wade 6-0 Dave Chisnall
Ryan Searle 6-3 Charlie Manby
Ryan Joyce 6-2 Christian Kist
Gian van Veen 6-3 Connor Scott
Michael van Gerwen 6-5 Mothers Rajma
Stephen Bunting 6-2 Krzysztof Ratajski
Martin Schindler 6-5 Karel Sedlacek

Sunday 24th May
Afternoon Session (11 am)
Jean Van Veen vs. Kevin Deutz
Ryan Searle vs. Kim Huibrechts
Stephen Bunting v Rob Cross
Ryan Joyce vs Jermaine Watimena
Michael van Gerwen vs. Damon Hetta
Riccardo Pitreco at Ross Smith
James Wade v. Wessel Nijman
Cameron Menzies vs. Martin Schindler

Evening Session (5 pm)
Quarter-final
semi-final
the final

What’s happening on Premier League final night?

The 2026 Premier League finals take place at The O2 next Thursday, with Luke Littler taking on Gerwyn Price in the opening match of the evening.

The second semi-final pitted Jonny Clayton against Luke Humphries.

Who will win this Premier League Darts? Luke Humphries will defend his title and you can watch the final night on Sky Sports next Thursday. Stream darts and more great games now.