Overview
- Kenyan debutant David Munyua beat world No. 18 Mike De Decker 3–2 after trailing 0–2, outfinishing the Belgian 12/36 to 11/45 on doubles.
- The match swung on drama and errors, including two calculation mistakes by Munyua and missed match darts by De Decker, plus a wasp landing on the winner’s face.
- Five-time champion Raymond van Barneveld lost 0–3 to Switzerland’s Stefan Bellmont and said he must consider his future after a poor season.
- Germany’s contingent impressed with five of eight entrants reaching round two, as No. 13 Martin Schindler won 3–1 and is boycotting interviews with broadcaster Sport1 for the tournament, his manager said.
- Michael van Gerwen advanced 3–1 over Japan’s Mitsuhiko Tatsunami but called it a shaky start, as Peter Wright publicly suggested MVG’s eyesight may be worsening.