Failed World Cup dress rehearsal: The top German darts player Gabriel Clemens failed at the opening hurdle at the Players Championship Finals in Minehead, England.
The 39-year-old lost 6-4 to two-time world champion Gary Anderson (Scotland) and was unable to boost his self-confidence for the upcoming World Cup in London (December 15 to January 3).
The Nuremberg outsider Ricardo Pietreczko, on the other hand, managed a surprise at the start. The 28-year-old, number 103 in the world rankings, beat the clearly favored Australian Damon Heta 6:5.
By winning his premiere at the elite tournament, Pietreczko worked his way up the rankings again after the Franconian had previously reached the top 100.
In the second round Pietreczko meets the local world number 24 on Saturday afternoon. Callan Rydz. Pietreczko, who has little chance of qualifying for the World Cup, secured the tour card for two years in January.
The start of the tournament was also successful for Martin Schindler (Strausberg). The number 30 in the world rankings beat the Dutchman Vincent van der Voort 6:4 and now meets Chris Dobey in the second German-English second round duel.
The major tournament in Minehead with 64 players is considered the last yardstick for the World Cup. Scottish World Cup champion Peter Wright canceled his participation for personal reasons.