The second round of the Austrian Darts Open on Saturday afternoon produced a session packed with drama, including a nine-dart finish from Cristo Reyes and a stunning 132 checkout from Kim Huybrechts to edge out Chris Dobey.
Cristo Reyes hit a nine-dart finish during his 6-4 victory over Damon Heta to reach the final day in Graz. Reyes, who returned to the tour earlier this year, averaged mid-70s but his nine-darter proved a catalyst. After both players broke early, Reyes hit double 16 for 1-0, then a 55 checkout for 1-1. Heta went 2-1 with a 21-darter, but Reyes responded with his nine-dart finish and broke for 3-2. He held as Heta missed 114 for a break, then sealed the win with a 77 checkout for a 12-darter and an 11-darter on double 20.
Kim Huybrechts thrilled the crowd with a 6-5 win over Chris Dobey, ending the match with a 132 checkout on the bull. The early legs featured breaks: Dobey hit double 14, Huybrechts replied with a 12-darter on double 16, then Dobey went 2-1 with a 13-darter on double 14. Dobey added a 21-darter on double one, but Huybrechts hit 58 for 3-2. Huybrechts broke back with double eight and followed with double 10 for 4-3. Dobey broke for 5-4 with an 82 checkout, but Huybrechts pinned double 16 for a 10-darter to force a decider, where he produced the 132 checkout on the bull to win.
Ross Smith impressed with a 6-3 win over in-form Niels Zonneveld, hitting three 180's and a 102 average. Smith surged into a 3-0 lead, breaking on double eight, then hit double 16 with a 12-darter. He held on double four for 4-1 and broke again with a 12-darter on double 12. Zonneveld fought back with a 12-darter on double 19, and Smith missed a match dart before returning to take the win on double four.
Andrew Gilding opened the session with a ton average to defeat Jermaine Wattimena 6-3. Gilding went 3-1 up, but Wattimena hit a 14-darter on double 16 to level at 3-3. Gilding surged after Wattimena missed 131, pinning 64 to go 4-3 up, then hit a 13-darter for double 19 and a 12-darter on double 18 to close out. Rob Cross also advanced, downing William O'Connor in a game with few breaks. Cross went 3-2 and 4-3 up, then hit an 11-darter on double 18 for 5-3 with a 66 checkout, and sealed it on double six after missing 112 for the match.
Other winners included Kevin Doets, who continued his exceptional form with a 6-2 win over Ryan Searle, his first victory against Searle. Luke Woodhouse eased past Robert Owen 6-1, and Ryan Joyce made light work of Mike de Decker to reach the final day.
