Michael van Gerwen's Flanders Darts Trophy campaign ended in a first-match exit for the third consecutive year on Saturday evening in Antwerp, as Damon Heta sent 'Mighty Mike' packing. Van Gerwen had arrived in Belgium buoyed by a semi-final run at last week's Czech Darts Open, where he beat the likes of Wessel Nijman and Jonny Clayton before falling to Luke Littler in the last four. But there was to be no repeat of that form against the Australian.
Heta struck an important early blow by winning the bull throw, and every leg went with the throw. Van Gerwen was given just one opportunity to break, in the third leg, when he had a chance from 76 but missed double 20. Heta gave him no more chances in his own legs and started the deciding leg with a 180, leaving Van Gerwen at a big disadvantage before sealing the victory. The statistics told the story: Heta averaged 92.83 to Van Gerwen's 85.66, threw three 180s to Van Gerwen's one, and converted six of 13 checkouts at 46.15 percent, while Van Gerwen managed just two of nine at 35.71 percent. Heta's highest checkout was 80, with Van Gerwen posting a 124 finish.
The Belgian crowd was also treated to a string of high averages. Gerwyn Price recorded an excellent 6-3 victory over Bradley Brooks, posting an average of 103.52. 'The Iceman' threw nine 100+ scores, eight 140+ scores and four 180s, with a highest checkout of 116 and a checkout percentage of 42.86. That average was later surpassed by Nathan Aspinall, who flew out of the blocks against Niko Springer to take a 3-0 lead, including an 11-darter. The match eventually ended 6-1, with Aspinall's average finishing at an impressive 105.99.
Elsewhere, Ryan Joyce caused a surprise in the last 32 by eliminating Josh Rock 6-3. Stephen Bunting narrowly avoided an upset, battling past Brendan Dolan 6-5, while James Wade reached the third round with a straightforward 6-2 victory over Jim Long. Gian van Veen and Wessel Nijman, unlike Van Gerwen, will be back in action on Sunday in the last 16. Van Veen recorded an excellent 6-3 victory over Gabriel Clemens in the second round, averaging 101.54. The player from Poederoijen delivered the first blow in the fifth leg by taking out 143 in Clemens' leg, but the German immediately broke back with a 146 finish. A third consecutive break followed after Van Veen took out 82, before he added an 84 finish to extend his lead to 5-3. Clemens had a chance from 88 to stay in the match but was unable to take it, and Van Veen finished things off with a 64 finish to set up a last-16 meeting with compatriot Kevin Doets.
Nijman followed his compatriot's example by battling past Sebastian Bialecki 6-4, though it was far from easy. After taking out 170 in the second leg, Nijman moved a break ahead in the fifth leg thanks to a 115 checkout, only to immediately surrender that break. Legs seven and eight went with the throw before Nijman produced another strong leg to force a break, then successfully consolidated it to make it 6-4.
