Noppert and Hempel Shine in Jena

Former UK Open Champion Danny Noppert enjoyed a strong run to the Quarter Finals of the 2023 German Darts Open in Jena, going on to lose to eventual winner Krzysztof Ratajski 6-3 on Sunday Night at the Quarter Final stage.

Florian Hempel reached the Last 16 at the Sparkassen Arena to delight his home faithful, with the German taking the scalp of 2^nd Seed Damon Heta on Saturday night.

The Freeze came into the 11^th Euro Tour of 2023 as the Number 9 Seed, so entered in the 2^nd Round on the Saturday after the tournament got underway on Friday. The Dutchman would start his campaign against Irish international Dylan Slevin, who earnt his spot in the Last 32 with a 6-4 victory over Jeffrey de Graaf.

Noppert survived a missed match dart at the bullseye from the recent Tour Card winner, before finding double five with his last dart in hand to prevail a 6-5 winner including 3 180s.

The Winmau player continued onto Sunday, facing Cameron Menzies who stunned defending champion Peter Wright on Saturday night. A 50% checkout rate and a highest finish of 81 saw the 9^th Seed reach the Quarter Finals, defeating the Scotsman 6-3 at the Sparkassen Arena.

Florian Hempel started his German Darts Open campaign with a 6-3 victory over former Premier League and World Matchplay winner James Wade. You could say Florian produced James Wade style finishing over the 9 legs played, missing just 2 darts at double in recording a checkout rate of 75% in front of his home fans.

Both players produced ton plus finishes, with the Dessau born player hitting the highest of 115 to seal his spot in the 2^nd Round against The Machine. Hempel averaged 97.19 including 2 180s as he set up a Last 32 match with 2^nd Seed Damon Heta.

The Winmau player despite averaging slightly lower than the former winner on the Euro Tour, ran out a 6-2 winner in Jena including a 95 checkout and 3 180s to defeat the Australian Number 1.

Florian’s run came to an end against UK Open Champion Andrew Gilding on the Sunday, but a positive showing for Hempel who will look to build on this in the remaining PDC competitions of the year.

Krzysztof Ratajski claimed his 2^nd Euro Tour title of his career after he defeated Stephen Bunting 8-3 in the Final, with 2 100+ finishes of 128 and 105 to find 2 breaks of throw against the former BDO World Champion.

The action returns next week as Gerwyn Price looks to defend his World Series of Darts Finals title in Amsterdam, with the Welshman going into the Dutch capital on the back of winning 3 of the last 5 Pro Tours.

By Harry Masterson

2023 German Darts Open Results:

Last 16:

Krzysztof Ratajski 6-2 Dave Chisnall

Danny Noppert 6-4 Cameron Menzies

Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-3 Jose de Sousa

Josh Rock 6-5 Ryan Searle

Andrew Gilding 6-3 Florian Hempel

Stephen Bunting 6-1 Martin Schindler

Wesley Plaisier 6-5 Luke Humphries

Brian Raman 6-4 Nathan Aspinall

Quarter Finals:

Krzysztof Ratajski 6-3 Danny Noppert

Josh Rock 6-5 Dirk van Duijvenbode

Stephen Bunting 6-5 Andrew Gilding

Wesley Plaisier 6-3 Brian Raman

Semi Finals:

Krzysztof Ratajski 7-4 Josh Rock

Stephen Bunting 7-6 Wesley Plaisier

Final:

Krzysztof Ratajski 8-3 Stephen Bunting