Luke Littler's wait for a European Championship title goes on after the World Number One was beaten 10-6 by Krzysztof Ratajski in Dortmund on Sunday afternoon. Littler, who is only missing the European Championship from his major collection, saw his hopes dashed as Ratajski produced a clinical display to reach the next round, where he will face Martin Schindler.
Littler led early with a 52 checkout, but Ratajski broke for 73 after Littler missed 64 to hold. Ratajski then held with a 74 checkout for 3-1 and broke again after more missed darts from Littler for 4-1 on 62. Ratajski held with 68 and broke with double 20 after 152, capitalising on another missed dart from Littler. Ratajski went 7-1 and 8-2 up, but Littler mounted a comeback, breaking for 8-4 after Ratajski missed darts to go 9-2 up. Littler then took every chance to go 8-6 down on double 10. However, Littler missed 82, and Ratajski came back for 49 to go 9-6 up before pinning double 20 after Littler missed 121. Littler is out, and his major duck continues.
Earlier, Ross Smith produced an incredible display to dump out Luke Woodhouse 10-6, averaging 107 in the process. Smith, the World Series of Darts champion, broke early with an exquisite 121 checkout to go 2-1 up before holding for 3-1 on 67. Woodhouse pinned 108 for 3-2 down, but Smith hit double 10 for 5-2. Smith then hit double eight and a brilliant 145 checkout to make it 7-3, stretched his lead to 8-4, and although Woodhouse broke for 81, Smith hit back with a double 16 and sealed the win with an 81 checkout for 10-6. Smith now faces Gerwyn Price, who thrashed Stephen Bunting 10-3, averaging 97. Price broke on double 20 after a great opening salvo of 105, hit 104 to make it 3-0, broke on double six for 4-0, and surged into a 5-0 lead on double 18. Bunting finally got on the board at 5-1 on double eight, but Price hit double five for 6-1, broke with a 72 checkout for 7-1, and despite being broken back on 60, stretched his lead to 8-3. Price broke for 9-3 with a 76 checkout and rubber stamped the win with an 87 checkout for 10-3.
Martin Schindler continued his revival with a stunning 10-1 thrashing of Jonny Clayton, averaging 103. From being top seed two years ago, Schindler has had to claw his way back after barely qualifying this time and has not been able to play other events such as World Matchplay and World Grand Prix due to his ProTour status. Clayton's only leg came in the second, and from there it was nine straight legs for The Wall. Schindler broke with a 56 checkout for 3-1, held with 127, and then hit a 167 before a 74 checkout made it 6-1. He missed 124 for 7-1 but returned for 25 to lead further before pinning double 10 for 8-1. Clayton missed 148 and was left on 90 as Schindler missed 132 on the bull but returned to hit 25 for 9-1, and he held on from there to win 10-1. A true statement from The Wall.
