Beau bows out in Flanders as Bialecki and Baetens impress again

THE evening session in Antwerp delivered more drama, home joy, and a couple of significant scalps as the first round concluded.

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Rob Cross set the tone with a high-quality 6-3 win over Cristo Reyes, averaging over 104. Belgian favourite Andy Baetens then produced one of the night’s biggest results, powering past Joe Cullen 6-3 in front of a raucous home crowd.

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Gabriel Clemens continued his strong return by seeing off Cameron Menzies 6-4, while William O’Connor was clinical in a 6-2 victory against host-nation qualifier Kevin Lankhuizen.

Jim Long caused a major upset, if title count is your yardstick, by dumping out five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld 6-2.

The match of the night lived up to its billing as Damon Heta edged Beau Greaves 6-5 in a last-leg thriller. Greaves, who made history last week as the first woman to win a European Tour match, pushed the Australian all the way but fell just short.

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Sebastian Bialecki survived another deciding leg, defeating Kim Huybrechts 6-5, in a match that could have bolstered either mans chances of making the World Gramd Prix. Brendan Dolan then wrapped up the session by beating Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-3.

Flanders Darts Trophy (ET13) Day One

Evening Session Results

Rob Cross 6-3 Cristo Reyes

Andy Baetens 6-3 Joe Cullen

Gabriel Clemens 6-4 Cameron Menzies

William O’Connor 6-2 Kevin Lankhuizen

Jim Long 6-2 Raymond van Barneveld

Damon Heta 6-5 Beau Greaves

Sebastian Bialecki 6-5 Kim Huybrechts

Brendan Dolan 6-3 Dirk van Duijvenbode

Baetens’ win and Long’s shock victory over Barney were the clear talking points, while Heta’s narrow success over Greaves ensured the Australian progresses to face Michael van Gerwen on Saturday.

The seeds and remaining qualifiers now enter the fray tomorrow.Action resumes on Saturday from 12pm UK time with the second round.

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