Defending champion Niko Springer navigated a tricky opener at the Hungarian Darts Trophy on Friday afternoon, while Dave Chisnall survived a stern examination from home favourite Andreas Borbely. The session also delivered standout wins for Keane Barry, Ryan Joyce and Ritchie Edhouse, but it was a day of contrasting fortunes for the German contingent.
Springer, the reigning champion, faced Maik Kuivenhoven in one of the standout ties of the session. He broke for 2-1, then after two holds, hit a 180 and double eight to extend his lead. He continued to pull away, going 4-1 up with a 59 checkout on double five, and was speeding towards the finish before sealing the win. However, Martin Schindler did not enjoy the same success. Barry broke early with a 180 and a 41 checkout to go 2-0 up. Schindler hit back on double seven, but Barry broke again on double 20, and that proved decisive. Barry continued to hold, including a spectacular 154 checkout after Schindler had missed 100, before returning for 56 to win and break again.
Andrew Gilding eased through his tie, seeing off Milan Biro 6-0, while Ritchie Edhouse took down an off-colour Connor Scutt 6-1. Scutt broke throw immediately with a 46 checkout, but Edhouse broke back on double eight to make it 1-1. After those early exchanges, Edhouse broke again for 3-1 as Scutt's missed doubles proved costly. Edhouse returned for 106 to lead 4-1, then sealed the win pinning double 18. William O'Connor made light work of Samuel Price 6-2, while Ryan Joyce managed to avert the test of Cristo Reyes, winning through 6-3 in a tie where he looked to win easily until the final few legs, but he only lost two more after being on the verge and is through.
Albeit the same could not be said for Kevin Doets, who succumbed to Jonas Masalin 6-4. Masalin opened with an 84 checkout and hit a 21-darter to go 2-1 up. He went 3-2 up, but Doets levelled at 3-3 on double eight. Masalin went 4-3 up and then 5-3, hitting double 10 with Doets missing darts to make it 4-4. Masalin then hit 46 to win through, and now Doets is out.
Finally, Dave Chisnall won through 6-3 against Andreas Borbely. Borbely led 2-0 on double 20 as Chisnall was broken with a second double 18 in a row. Chisnall broke back with a 136 checkout for 2-1 down, then hit double eight to make it 2-2 and seal parity. Borbely hit 107 to go 3-2 up, but Chisnall hit 101 for 3-3. Chisnall went one away pinning double 20, and that seemed to work as he won through 6-3.