The first round of the German Darts Open takes place over two sessions in Germany on Saturday. That means we see the big boys enter the tournament to take on one of the qualifiers over the course of what is likely to be a busy day on the oche.
Among the stars on show over the course of the day will be Michael van Gerwen, Peter Wright, Rob Cross and Daryl Gurney. There are some good matches on the schedule so we should be treated to an exciting day.
Afternoon Session
The afternoon begins with the match between Darren Webster and Steve West which on paper looks one of the closest of the afternoon. Ian White then takes to the stage to take on Cameron Menzies before Gerwyn Price goes up against former world finalist Kirk Shepherd to take us into the interval.
The former world champion Jelle Klaasen is first onto the stage after the break when he takes on Maik Kuivenhoven. A battle of the veterans follow them when another former world champion Steve Beaton takes on Alan Tabern before Dave Chisnall goes up against Jose Justicia. The afternoon concludes with a tasty looking tie between Michael Smith and Steve Lennon.
Evening Session
We get started in the evening with two class acts as Mervyn King takes on James Wade before the World Grand Prix champion Daryl Gurney faces Rene Eidams. Paul Nicholson will look to make it through to the last 16 of a European Tour event when he faces the out of form Benito van de Pas. The match of the round follows them as Michael van Gerwen takes on former Lakeside finalist Danny Noppert.
Peter Wright leads us out of the break when he takes on the home favourite Max Hopp before two classy players meet when Joe Cullen faces Luke Humphries. Mensur Suljovic is on the stage in the penultimate match of the evening when he faces the Dutch star Jermaine Wattimena and lastly we have a repeat of the World Championship quarter final between Rob Cross and Dimitri Van den Bergh.
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Betting
I’m going for two bets over the course of the day. There is one in each session with the first of them coming in the afternoon where I believe Steve Beaton is vulnerable against an improving Alan Tabern. Back in the day Tabern was a quality player and there are signs in recent weeks that some of his best darts are starting to come back. Beaton is grossly out of form and he has barely won a match on tour all year. He often thrives on the big stage which may serve him well here but even then Tabern had a great win on Friday where he averaged just under 100 and anything resembling that form should be enough to see off the former world champion.
Another man who is bang out of form is Benito van de Pas and I am going to take him on with Paul Nicholson. Admittedly Nicholson is not in the best form himself but he’s playing much better than he was and he is clearly motivated to get as many wins as he can in upcoming tournaments. Van de Pas has barely won a match since the turn of the year. He’s changed his style and his throw to try and keep his darts in the board but it’s had a negative effect on his form. Nicholson is nothing like a certainty here but I do think he will win and at odds against I’m happy to take him.
Tips
WON – Back A.Tabern to beat S.Beaton for a 4/10 stake at 2.20 with Ladbrokes
Back him here:
Back P.Nicholson to beat B.van de Pas for a 4/10 stake at 2.20 with Boylesports
Back him here:
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