The last 16 of the 2026 Slovak Darts Open took place this Sunday afternoon in Bratislava, and it proved to be a day of shocks as several top names were eliminated. Michael van Gerwen, Stephen Bunting, and Cameron Menzies all suffered defeats, while Nathan Aspinall produced a stunning performance to whitewash Ryan Searle 6-0.
Aspinall was at his brilliant best, averaging 108 and pinning an 84 checkout on double 11 to seal the win. This came after his stag do last week and despite admitting he had throw issues again. He now faces Rob Cross in the quarter-finals, after Cross edged past Kevin Doets 6-5.
Michael van Gerwen was dumped out by Andrew Gilding in a narrow 6-4 defeat. Gilding held to start on double 18 and broke with a 51 checkout for 2-0, then broke again on double 18. Van Gerwen fought back but Gilding held his nerve, hitting 52 and 56 checkouts before closing out the match on 42 after Van Gerwen missed darts for a decider.
Tom Sykes also impressed, seeing off Cameron Menzies 6-4. 'The Castleford Tiger' is enjoying a dream European Tour run and now faces Jermaine Wattimena in tonight's quarter-finals. Wattimena saved his skin by coming from 5-3 down to beat Danny Noppert 6-5, snatching the win on double 12. Ross Smith defeated good friend Chris Dobey 6-4, while De Decker came from 4-3 down to beat Ryan Joyce 6-5, hitting a 104 checkout in the decider. Wessel Nijman dazzled again, thrashing Stephen Bunting 6-1, and now faces De Decker later.