Jonny Clayton and Martin Schindler thrive as Peter Wright struggles through at Czech Darts Open

Peter Wright, Jonny Clayton and Martin Schindler all booked their places in the last 16 of the Czech Darts Open 2025 on Saturday in Prague albeit it was very much contrasting as Wright struggled while Clayton and Schindler shone.

Wright who has struggled as of late and continues to fall down the rankings is through at the Czech Darts Open despite another below-par display. He did just enough to get past Benjamin Pratnemer 6-2. The two-time world champion opened with a sluggish 21-darter and was pegged back immediately, but managed to edge ahead again with a 14-dart leg – his best of the match. From there, both men struggled for consistency, yet “Snakebite” was able to punish Pratnemer’s errors with a run of legs in 19, 20 and 18 darts before sealing victory with a 15-darter. This was underlined with Wright averaging just 83 in victory.

Clayton impressed in a far more assured display, sweeping aside Ryan Joyce 6-2. “The Ferret” never looked troubled, reeling off five of his six winning legs in 14 darts. Joyce managed to nick two legs, but the Welshman’s relentless scoring and clinical finishing meant he coasted into the final day. It was a 97 average with 50% on the outer ring for the Welshman who continues his rich vein of form.

Schindler joined them with a 6-3 triumph over Madars Razma. The German had to work hard early on after Razma opened up a 2-0 lead, but “The Wall” responded with checkouts of 110 and 112 to level the contest. Schindler then shifted through the gears, breaking with a 13-darter and wrapping up the match in style with a 108 finish to secure his third-round spot. Schindler produced three ton plus checkouts and averaged 93 in what was a very accomplished display.
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Smith and Searle triumph as Dutch trio surge

Ross Smith also progressed after overcoming Andrew Gilding 6-4. The opening five legs all went with throw before “Smudger” struck the first break in the sixth to move 4-2 up. Gilding squandered five darts to level, and Smith punished by moving 5-3 ahead before closing out the contest with a steady 16-darter.

Ryan Searle joined him in the last 16 thanks to a 6-4 victory over Dave Chisnall. “Chizzy” made the brighter start by taking the opening two legs, but “Heavy Metal” stormed back with a superb burst of 14, 13, 13 and 12 darts. Chisnall capitalised on some missed doubles to pull it back to 4-4, but Searle steadied himself to claim the last two legs and seal the win.

It was also a strong session for the Dutch contingent, with Gian van Veen, Wessel Nijman and Jermaine Wattimena all coming through.

Van Veen got the better of his World Cup teammate Danny Noppert in an all-Dutch clash, running out a 6-2 winner. “The Giant” punished early missed doubles from “The Freeze” and threatened a nine-darter with seven perfect darts in the fifth leg before cruising over the line with a 12-darter on 87.

Nijman came through a thriller against Damon Heta, edging the Australian 6-5 in a last-leg decider. After racing into a 4-1 lead with a flurry of 13- and 14-darters, the man from Uitgeest was pegged back as Heta landed a brilliant 158 checkout to level at 4-4. The contest went the distance, but Nijman held his nerve, starting the decider and sealing victory in 14 darts.

Wattimena completed the Dutch treble with a commanding 6-2 victory over Chris Dobey. “The Machine Gun” pounced on six missed darts in the opening leg and never looked back, landing finishes of 120, 71 and 101 along the way. A final 64 checkout confirmed an impressive display against the former Masters champion.