Part in superb form as European Darts Trophy gets underway

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John Part began his bid to win a second successive European Tour title with a superb 6-1 demolition of Vincent van der Voort as the European Darts Trophy began yesterday, with Michael Smith knocking out number one seed Dave Chisnall.

Part began the year’s £100,000 European Tour series with victory in the UK Masters at the Butlins Minehead Resort earlier in March, and was in ominous form against van der Voort.

The Canadian averaged 108.35 in a fine performance as he dropped just one leg, and had five winning legs of between 11 and 14 darts.

“I’m really happy with that,” admitted Part. “The main thing was that my doubles were good today but I scored well too. I’m liking these events so far this year, and hopefully I can do well for the rest of the weekend.”

Part will now play Robert Thornton in the second round on Sunday, after the in-form UK Open champion overcame European Tour debutant Ricky Sudale 6-2.

Youngster Smith, meanwhile, followed up his achievement last weekend in qualifying for the PDC Unicorn World Youth Championship final by powering past top seed Dave Chisnall in Sindelfingen.

Smith averaged 103.13, hitting three 13-dart finishes before completing a 12-darter by sealing victory with a 136 checkout.

World number three Michael van Gerwen began his challenge in Germany with a 6-1 defeat of European Qualifier Leo Hendriks, and he will now play Darren Webster in round two, after the Norfolk thrower saw off Belgium’s Kurt Van De Rijck 6-5.

German teenager Max Hopp delighted the home crowd at the Glaspalast in Sindelfingen with a superb 6-1 win over Croatian qualifier Dragutin Horvath.

The 16-year-old will now meet Dean Winstanley in the second round, following the English ace’s 6-4 win over John Henderson.

Ian White, who was the runner-up to Adrian Lewis at the Glaspalast in the German Masters event at the venue last September, opened his account this time with a whitewash of James Richardson, setting up a second round game against Ross Smith, who swept aside World Youth Champion James Hubbard 6-1.

Number four seed Justin Pipe dropped only one leg against Co Stompe as he set up a second round game with Joe Cullen, who came from 5-3 down to defeat Mark Hylton 6-5.

McCoy’s Premier League Darts star Wes Newton was a 6-3 winner against Germany’s Tomas Seyler, and he now plays former World Youth Champion Arron Monk, who eliminated Alex Roy 6-3 with a strong display.

Belgium’s Kim Huybrechts enjoyed a narrow 6-5 win over Steve Hine to set up a second round date with Jamie Caven, who hit back from 2-0 down to see off Andrew Johnson 6-3 in their clash.

Huybrechts’ older brother Ronny, though, was eliminated with a 6-5 defeat to Paul Nicholson, who now meets Colin Lloyd after the former World Matchplay winner overcame qualifier Davyd Venken.

Andy Hamilton’s 6-1 win over Gareth Pass – which included a 153 checkout – set up a second round clash with Mark Webster, who had defeated Steve Maish by the same scoreline in the day’s opening fixture.

Kevin Painter swept past European Tour debutant Mario Gaisbauer with a whitewash victory, handing him a second round meeting with Nick Fullwell, who was a 6-2 winner against another German, Jyhan Artut.

Mervyn King’s whitewash of Leon De Geus sets up a second round clash with Andy Smith, who was a 6-2 winner against Magnus Caris, while Austrian Mensur Suljovic’s 6-5 win over Scott Rand means he now meets Michael Smith on Sunday.

Terry Jenkins edged out Tony West 6-5 in another tight came as he moved into the last 32, where he will meet York’s Terry Temple, who came from 4-3 down to defeat Mark Walsh 6-4.

Essex’s Jamie Robinson stunned former World Champion Richie Burnett with a 6-5 win in their clash, as the Welshman missed match darts in the final two legs, as he set up a second round game with Brendan Dolan, who saw off John Bowles 6-4.

Ireland’s Connie Finnan also knocked out a seeded player as he defeated Steve Beaton 6-4, hitting a 155 checkout, and he now plays Ronnie Baxter after the Blackpool ace saw off Kevin Dowling 6-3.

Colin Osborne came from 3-0 down to win 6-5 against Gareth Cousins, and he now plays Peter Wright after the colourful star saw off Germany’s Michael Kiebel 6-2.

The second round will be played across two sessions at the Glaspalast today, with Monday seeing the last 16 held in the afternoon session and the quarter-finals, semi-final and final in the evening session.

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