Overview

• Dirk van Duijvenbode beat six-time champion Michael van Gerwen 2-0 for his first televised win over his compatriot, narrowly missing a whitewash before closing out on double 20.
• Van Gerwen exited in the first round for the second straight year, converting just two of 13 checkout attempts compared with Van Duijvenbode’s six of 17.
• Luke Littler advanced 2-0 over Gian van Veen despite the Dutchman posting a tournament-record average, as Littler capitalized on far more finishing chances.
• Littler’s win featured 151 and 144 checkouts in an 11-minute match that underscored the premium on starting doubles and clinical exits.
• The second round sets up Van Duijvenbode against Daryl Gurney and pits Littler against defending champion Mike De Decker.