2026 Belgian Darts Open R1 Preview

James Punt has already posted his outright preview, you can read that here. James’ 2026 Belgian Darts Open R1 preview and tips are below.

Scott Williams vs. Ricky Evans

Evans gets another late call up, but can he make the most of his chance?

Scott Williams is out of form, having lost five of his last ten matches and hit eight sub 90 averages, with a high of 91.97. However, he is something of a stage tart. Since 2022, Williams has played in nine Euro Tour events and won seven first round matches. He is a better player on a stage than he is on the floor. Will that be enough to lift his recent form?

Ricky Evans has also won five of his last ten matches, and hit six sub 90 averages, but he did manage a 102.91 against Brendan Dolan in the UK Open. He played last weekend, beating a local qualifier in round one, before losing badly to Noppert. In his last thirteen Euro Tour events, Evans has won nine first rounds.

Two players in poor form, both needing the win, with very similar Euro Tour form. Their H2H record is 3-0 to Evans, all played in 2024.

Evans is the 1.73 favourite, Williams 2.20. Maybe we will get a poor, but close match? Possibly, but Evans has had seven consecutive Euro Tour matches that ended under 9.5 legs. A match best avoided.

2026 Belgian Darts Open R1 Tip: No Bet

Cameron Menzies vs. Sietse Lap

Mad Menzies is the 1.50 favourite, Sietse Lap 3.10. I have to give Sietse Lap a puncher’s chance. He got a tour card in January but has only played 17 matches and lost 11. His best run was in a qualifier for this when he beat Conor Scutt and Max Hopp.

Since then, he has lost to Gurney, Woodhouse and Reyes, with respective averages of 101, 94 and 88. He also played Ted Evetts in the UK Open, averaging 98 for a 6-3 win. He is making his Euro Tour debut.

We know that Menzies is unpredictable. He made the third round in Poland but lost in the first round to Paul Krohne last weekend.

I don’t know how Lap will play on his debut, but there is a 50% chance that Menzies has a mare.

2026 Belgian Darts Open R1 Tip: 1 point Sietse Lap to win @ 3.10 with SpreadEx

Michael Smith vs. Mickey Mansell

The grudge match. No love lost between these two since their little spat after Mansell beat Smith 6-3 in a Euro Tour qualifier back in February. Smith said that Mansell was at it, taking an age to get his darts out of the board. Smith may just have been pissed off that he only averaged 82.89 in the match. He is easily frustrated and easily wound up, especially if he plays poorly.

Mansell, well you know what you get with Mansell. He is slow, annoying and he will try mind games if he thinks it will work. There are no rules about slow play. Just because Smith likes to play at 100mph, it doesn’t mean Mansell has to keep up.

This match is all about Smith’s head. He will know that Mansell is going to play slow, the question is, can Smith cope?

Better Player

Smith is the better player, no doubt. He is a declining force, but still better than Mansell, but Mansell knows the game. He knows that he can press Smith’s button’s and if Smith takes the bait, then Mansell can win.

Mansell has lost eight of his last ten matches, so his confidence is low, but he still hits a lot of low 90 averages. If you can handle his pace, you can beat him.

Their H2H record is 5-3 to Smith. Their last three matches have ended 6-3, with two wins for Mansell. Only one of their matches has been over 9.5 legs.

2026 Belgian Darts Open R1 Tip: 1 point under 9.5 legs @ 1.85 with Boylesports

Back with the evening session preview this afternoon.

-JamesPunt