SCHINDLER STORMS THROUGH IN STYLE, AS TRICOLE CREATES HISTORY IN RIESA

Martin Schindler opened his defence of the Elten Safety Shoes International Darts Open with a sparkling display in Riesa, on a day which saw Thibault Tricole create French darting history.

Day One of the year’s third European Tour event began with a bang at the WT Energiesysteme Arena, as reigning champion Schindler headlined on home soil.

The German number one kicked off his campaign with a comprehensive 6-2 win against Thomas Lovely, averaging 102.68 and landing five maximums to cap off a classy all-round performance.

Schindler is now guaranteed a place at Finals Day on Sunday, after his scheduled second round opponent Rob Cross withdrew from the event earlier in the afternoon.

Tricole, meanwhile, became the first French player to register a victory on the European Tour stage, wrapping up a fine 6-3 win against 2022/23 World Champion Michael Smith to achieve the milestone.

“I have been waiting for this win for a long time,” claimed Tricole, who will face Dimitri Van den Bergh for a place in the last 16 on Saturday. number one kicked off his campaign with a comprehensive 6-2 win against Thomas Lovely, averaging 102.68 and landing five maximums to cap off a classy all-round performance.

Schindler is now guaranteed a place at Finals Day on Sunday, after his scheduled second round opponent Rob Cross withdrew from the event earlier in the afternoon.

Tricole, meanwhile, became the first French player to register a victory on the European Tour stage, wrapping up a fine 6-3 win against 2022/23 World Champion Michael Smith to achieve the milestone.

“I have been waiting for this win for a long time,” claimed Tricole, who will face Dimitri Van den Bergh for a place in the last 16 on Saturday.