Peter Wright dumped out of German Darts Open on day two by Cameron Menzies

The double session saw 16 second round ties take place at the Sparkassen-Arena, with two-time winner Wright one of five seeded stars to exit on a thrilling day of action in Jena.

Wright – competing in a record 100th PDC European Tour event – had been forced to borrow a set of his own darts from a PDC Europe staff member after his luggage failed to arrive in Germany.

He appeared unfazed by his disrupted preparation after easing into a 2-0 lead, although the enigmatic Menzies responded with a brace of 12-darters to reduce the deficit to 2-3.

Menzies then conjured up a crucial 120 checkout in leg seven to stay in contention, and he reeled off the last three legs without reply to triumph in an entertaining all-Scottish affair.

It was also a memorable night for the partisan German crowd, as Schindler and Hempel celebrated victories against Daryl Gurney and Damon Heta respectively.

Schindler won through a pulsating deciding-leg clash against a resurgent Gurney, who had fired in a sensational 164 checkout on his way to a 4-3 lead.

Hempel, meanwhile, fresh from dumping out James Wade in Friday’s first round, claimed another big scalp in the shape of second seed Heta, storming to a 6-2 success to continue his terrific campaign.

Ricardo Pietreczko almost made it three from three for the home contingent, recovering from 5-3 down to force a decider against third seed Luke Humphries, only to succumb in a last-leg tie.

The performance of the day belonged to World Youth Champion Josh Rock, who averaged 108.48 to demolish Jules van Dongen 6-2 in an astonishing contest that featured 11 maximums.

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Rock – who opened his account with a 148 checkout in leg two – landed five 180s in the last three legs to cap off a stunning display, winning those legs in 14, 11 and 13 darts respectively.

The Northern Irishman’s reward is a last 16 showdown against Ryan Searle, who averaged 95 and converted six of his 12 attempts at double to see off Dutch talent Kevin Doets.

World Matchplay champion Nathan Aspinall dealt a blow to Gian van Veen's hopes of World Grand Prix qualification, winning six straight legs from 3-0 adrift to prevail in a remarkable encounter.

Top seed Dave Chisnall delivered a statement performance in his 6-1 rout of Luke Woodhouse, averaging 102 and pinning 50% of his attempts at double to set up a meeting with Krzysztof Ratajski.

Ratajski averaged just under a ton in his 6-3 victory against Ricky Evans, sealing his progress with a clinical 108 combination to end Evans’ hopes of European Championship qualification.

Belgium’s Brian Raman caused arguably the upset of Saturday’s second round, following up a 112 skin-saver with a 12-darter to stun Rob Cross, who hit 121 and 126 finishes on the bull earlier in the match.

European Champion Ross Smith also bowed out in his opener, losing 6-2 to an inspired Wesley Plaisier, who progressed with a 101 average to set up a fascinating tussle against Humphries.

Dirk van Duijvenbode fired in six 180s and converted a sublime 160 finish during his 6-4 success against fellow countryman Roy van de Griendt, who landed a brace of ton-plus checkouts in defeat.

Van Duijvenbode was joined in the last 16 by his World Cup partner Danny Noppert, who survived a match dart from Dylan Slevin to continue his pursuit of a maiden European Tour title.

Stephen Bunting completed an unlikely comeback from 4-1 down to dump out a dejected Joe Cullen, who squandered eight match darts having raced into a commanding lead.

Elsewhere, Andrew Gilding and Jose de Sousa were the first players to progress to Finals Day on Saturday afternoon, defying sub-par displays to dump out Madars Razma and Mike de Decker.

Following Saturday’s second round, the last 16 will take place on Sunday afternoon, before the tournament concludes with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final in a bumper evening session.

2023 Interwetten German Darts Open

Second Round

• Andrew Gilding 6-2 Madars Razma
• Jose de Sousa 6-4 Mike De Decker
• Krzysztof Ratajski 6-3 Ricky Evans
• Josh Rock 6-2 Jules van Dongen
• Ryan Searle 6-3 Kevin Doets
• Danny Noppert 6-5 Dylan Slevin
• Brian Raman 6-5 Rob Cross
• Stephen Bunting 6-5 Joe Cullen

 

Evening Session

• Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-4 Roy van de Griendt
• Cameron Menzies 6-4 Peter Wright
• Florian Hempel 6-2 Damon Heta
• Luke Humphries 6-5 Ricardo Pietreczko
• Dave Chisnall 6-1 Luke Woodhouse
• Nathan Aspinall 6-3 Gian van Veen
• Martin Schindler 6-5 Daryl Gurney
• Wesley Plaisier 6-2 Ross Smith

 

Third Round

• Dave Chisnall v Krzysztof Ratajski
• Cameron Menzies v Danny Noppert
• Dirk van Duijvenbode v Jose de Sousa
• Josh Rock v Ryan Searle
• Florian Hempel v Andrew Gilding
• Stephen Bunting v Martin Schindler
• Luke Humphries v Wesley Plaisier
• Brian Raman v Nathan Aspinall