Tony David exits Dutch Open Early

Day two of the Dutch Open saw the first half of the Singles draw played out to the last four players in the Open and Ladies competitions. These four players have Saturday off while the second half of the draw is played. They then meet to play the quarter finals on stage on the Sunday. Over 3250 men and almost 600 ladies will be participating in the singles competition over the two days. Playing format for the early rounds is best of 5 x 501.

A busy time for Officials running this event with over 2400 matches being played on 150 boards. The first darts in competition were thrown at 11:00am and the last approximately some 7 hours later. During the day some big names fell early making for an extremely exciting event.

Tony David, Australia's 2002 Embassy Champion was an early casualty being eliminated at the 512 player stage.

He was one of a few early surprises, being defeated by an unknown Dutch player in Danny van Putten. Co Stompé, (pictured left) last year's semi finalist was another looser at the same stage when fellow Dutchman Roland Scholten defeated him 3 legs to 1. Peter "One Dart" Manley another early looser when popular Englishman Tony O'Shea exited him from the

tournament. He was later defeated himself in the round of 64. Others to miss out at this stage were Martin Adams (Eng), Bob Taylor (Sco), and Brian Sorensen (Den). Bob Taylor was defeated by his pairs partner in the Dutch Open Pairs and defending Dutch Open Singles Champion Shaun Greatbatch (Eng) 3-1.

Shaun Greatbatch is the defending Champion, defeating Steve Coote in the final last year. Apart from winning the title Shaun is better remembered for throwing the perfect 9-dart game.

When Shaun hit his magical 9 darter in the final of the Dutch Open on Sunday 3rd February 2002, he became the first player in the history of the sport to achieve the feat on live television; the match was being shown by SBS6 in Holland. In addition to being the first live 9 darter seen on TV, he also became only the third player to

Shaun Greatbatch

record a televised 9 darter, the others being John Lowe and Paul Lim.

Asked if he had thought about the last dart before he threw it, Shaun said, "No not really, I hit the two 180's and didn't really think about it as I was just concentrating on winning the leg.

Shaun after winning 2002 Dutch Open

I then hit the 60 and the treble 15 and even now I am still surprised that I didn't snatch the dart at the double eighteen, but it just went straight in and then there was bedlam. I don't remember that much about it really, what I do remember is that Steve Coote (his opponent) was jumping about, he seemed more excited than I was." That was history as Shaun was defeated by Dutchman Jan van de Rassel today 3-0.

At the end of days play the four players to make the quarter finals and play on stage on Sunday are Dutch players Roland Scholten, Jan van de Rassel and Peter Nederlof along with Englishman Terry Jenkins.

Results men: 1st half last 32:

Andy Smith (Eng) defeated Martin Adams (Eng) 3-2 Roland Scholten (Neth) defeated Braullio Roncero 3-1 Shaun Greatbatch (Eng) defeated Bob Taylor (Sco) 3-1 Jan van de Rassel defeated Mingus Manahutu 3-0 Tony Eccles (Eng) defeated Mark Hollyoak (Eng) 3-1 Terry Jenkins (Eng) defeated Brian Sorensen (Den) 3-0 Peter Nederlof defeated Tony O'Shea (Eng): 3-2 Paul Holloway (Eng) defeated Eerko de Vries 3-2

1st half last eight finals:

Roland Scholten defeated Andy Smith (Eng) 3-1 Jan van de Rassel defeated Shaun Greatbatch (Eng) 3-0 Terry Jenkins (Eng) defeated Tony Eccles (Eng) 3-2 Peter Nederlof defeated Paul Holloway (Eng) 3-0

Quarter final matches men: Sunday on stage from 12:00noon: Roland Scholten v Jan van de Rassel Terry Jenkins (Eng) v Peter Nederlof

Tomorrow the second halve will start their tournament to play until the last 4. These 4 players will then join Friday's players for the quarter finals. Players like Raymond van Barneveld, Vincent van der Voort, Albertino Essers, Ted Hankey, Mervyn King, Steve Coote (right) and John Walton will try to reach Sundays last eight.

Prize money Men Singles:

Champion	€	3.630,00
Second		1.815,00
Joint 3rd		910,00
5th Joint		365,00
Last 16		160,00
Last 32		.90,00

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Ladies Singles

Francis Hoenselaar (pictured left) is on track to defend her Dutch Open Ladies Singles title when she played her way through to make the quarterfinals. She had some pretty comfortable wins along the way, including a 3-0 win over compatriot Natasja Bonhof in the round of 16.

Francis has been joined by another Dutch super star in Mieke de Boer (pictured right) who defeated England's Dee Bateman to make the quarter finals.

On Saturday, the second half of the ladies single event will see more super stars participate. Ladies expected to perform well and progress through the tournament are Dutch player Karin Krappen and England's Trina Gulliver.

Results Ladies: 1st half last 16:

Francis Hoenselaar defeated Natasja Bonhof: 3-0 Maud Jansson (Swe) defeated Ebel Molema: 3-0 Barbara Lee (Eng) defeated Annette Wouters 3-0 Mieke de Boer defeated Dee Bateman (Eng) 3-2

Quarter final matches ladies: Sunday on stage from 10:30am: Francis Hoenselaar v Maud Jansson (Swe) Barbara Lee (Eng) v Mieke de Boer

Prize money Women Singles:

Champion	€	1.815,00
Second		910,00
Joint 3rd		455,00
5th Joint		180,00
Last 16		90,00
Last 32		.25,00

The total amount of prize money for the 2003 Dutch Open is €22.720,00.

Results sent by Hans Senders NDF. Thanks