Holder Wright survives terror in Prague

Peter Wright survived a major scare early in his Czech Darts Open title defense after winning a crucial final leg to oust fellow Scot Cameron Menzies.

Wright squandered a 5-3 lead as Menzies equalized to make it 5-5, before the two-time world champion held his nerve in the winner-take-all final leg to take a 14-darter lead to 6-5 in Prague -Victory secured.

“Cammy has beaten me in the last two games on the European Tour,” Wright, who beat Dave Chisnall in the final last year, said in quotes on the PDC’s official website.

“He is a fantastic darts player and I knew it would be a tough game but the crowd helped me here. It was a pleasure to play in front of them.”

Five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld beat Daryl Gurney 6-0 to set up a clash with Gerwyn Price, while Michael Smith beat Kevin Doets 6-3. Fermanagh’s Brendan Dolan lost 6-1 to Gabriel Clemens.

Mike De Decker, who stunned world number one Luke Humphries to win the World Grand Prix last weekend, averaged 104 as the Belgian cruised to a 6-1 victory over Brett Claydon.

Nathan Aspinall will face Luke Littler in one of the second round clashes after losing six legs in a row to beat home hopeful Michal Smejda 6-1.

Five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld beat Daryl Gurney 6-0 to set up a clash with Gerwyn Price, while Michael Smith beat Kevin Doets 6-3. Fermanagh’s Brendan Dolan lost 6-1 to Gabriel Clemens.

There were also wins for James Wade, Jonny Clayton, Luke Woodhouse, Martin Lukeman, Niels Zonneveld, Ritchie Edhouse, Jermaine Wattimena, Alan Soutar, Krzysztof Ratajski and Pavel Drtil.

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