Darts: Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko lose their opening matches at the Players Championship 21

X-Factor started the match strongly, breaking Schindler’s throw twice in a row and taking a 3-0 lead. Only then did Schindler wake up, attacking the Scot’s leg with a 180 in the fourth inning and breaking in 15 darts, with a 109 finish helping to win the leg. The Strausberger confirmed the break in 15 darts and closed the gap to 2-3.

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The next four legs were holds. Schindler now had the chance to stay in the match on his own throw, but failed to clear 118 points in three darts. Boulton accepted the gift and checked 28 to celebrate his entry into the round of 64 with a break in 14 darts.

Big names who have also already been eliminated include Luke Humphries, Rob Cross, Nathan Aspinall and Chris Dobey.

Cool Hand Luke lost his match against Kevin Doets in the decider, Voltage had to acknowledge the superiority of Jim Williams with 3-6. Aspinall, who is still limited by his recent arm surgery, lost 2-6 to Ryan Searle.