Michael van Gerwen's nightmare year went from bad to worse as he was dumped out of the Swiss Darts Trophy in his opening match by Mensur Suljovic 6-4 on Saturday night. Suljovic led 5-2 before Van Gerwen threatened a comeback but three missed darts to force a decider allowed Suljovic to take advantage. It was Suljovic's fourth straight win over Van Gerwen and the fifth time in six tournaments that the Dutchman has exited after one match.
Defeat in Basel marks the first time Michael van Gerwen has lost his opening match in FOUR European Tour events in the same season since its inception in 2012 European Darts Trophy ❌ German Darts Grand Prix ❌ Flanders Darts Trophy ❌ Swiss Darts Trophy ❌ Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen and Jonny Clayton all advanced to Finals Day as ten seeds crashed out on a remarkable day of action in Basel. Newly crowned World Grand Prix champion Humphries was among the headline acts on Day Two at the St. Jakobshalle, where he prevailed against Kevin Doets.
Despite racing 3-0 ahead with 122 and 121 checkouts, Humphries was forced to survive a furious fightback from Doets, defying the Dutchman's 105.64 average to triumph in a breathless decider. "I was really pleased with that performance," reflected Humphries, who averaged almost 103 and pinned 67% of his attempts at double. "I felt like I was the better player for most of the game, but Kevin was really strong at the end there, so I had to really work my socks off." European Champion Van Veen also impressed on Swiss soil, producing a hat-trick of ton-plus checkouts to whitewash a shell-shocked Niko Springer in just under ten minutes.
Clayton, meanwhile, stole the show with an irrepressible display against Maik Kuivenhoven, averaging 108.81 and landing two bullseye finishes to kick off his title bid in style. The Welshman will take on Rob Cross for a place in the quarter-finals, after the former world champion halted Luke Woodhouse's mid-match fightback to close out a battling 6-4 victory. There will be a new champion crowned at the St Jakobshalle on Sunday evening, as former champions Stephen Bunting and Martin Schindler crashed out on a day of upsets in Basel.
Swedish star Jeffrey de Graaf put in a clinical display of doubling to account for reigning champion Bunting, while Schindler was swept aside by Tom Bissell, who will feature at Finals Day for the first time in his European Tour career. Dirk van Duijvenbode recorded a fifth straight win against James Wade to end the left-hander's bid for back-to-back European Tour titles, and a resurgent Michael Smith now awaits the Dutchman in the last 16. The 2023 world champion delivered one of his best performances of the year to seal a 6-4 against Jermaine Wattimena, converting consecutive 116, 124 and 144 checkouts in the process.
Smith averaged just shy of 103 to cap off a quality display, which also preserves his hopes of qualifying for the Machineseeker European Championship later this month. Finals Day at the Swiss Darts Trophy will begin at the earlier time of 11am, before the tournament concludes with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final in a blockbuster evening session, which gets underway from 5pm. 2026 Swiss Darts TrophySaturday October 10Round TwoAfternoon SessionKrzysztof Ratajski 6-2 Stefan BellmontKarel Sedlacek 6-4 Wessel NijmanRob Cross 6-4 Luke WoodhouseTom Bissell 6-4 Martin SchindlerCristo Reyes 6-4 Ryan SearleRoss Smith 6-4 William O'ConnorBradley Brooks 6-4 Chris DobeyMichael Smith 6-4 Jermaine Wattimena Evening SessionJosh Rock 6-5 Dave ChisnallJeffrey de Graaf 6-4 Stephen BuntingDirk van Duijvenbode 6-5 James WadeJonny Clayton 6-1 Maik KuivenhovenMensur Suljovic 6-4 Michael van GerwenLuke Humphries 6-5 Kevin DoetsGian van Veen 6-0 Niko SpringerDamon Heta 6-3 Danny Noppert Sunday October 11Afternoon Session (11am)Last 16Josh Rock vs Karel SedlacekJonny Clayton vs Rob CrossJeffrey De Graaf vs Bradley BrooksGian van Veen vs Tom BissellMensur Suljovic vs Ross SmithDirk van Duijvenbode vs Michael SmithDamon Heta vs Cristo ReyesLuke Humphries vs Krzysztof Ratajski Evening Session (5pm)Quarter-FinalsRock/Sedlacek vs Clayton/CrossDe Graaf/Brooks vs Van Veen/BissellSuljovic/R Smith vs Van Duijvenbode/M SmithHeta/Reyes vs Humphries/Ratajski Sky Sports remains the home of darts with the Grand Slam of Darts (November 14-22) and World Darts Championship (December 11-January 3) all live. Stream darts and more through NOW with no contract.
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