Darts sensation Gerwyn Price had to pull out of the Flanders Darts Trophy due to a hand infection. The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) confirmed his withdrawal on social media, mentioning that no replacement would be added to the tournament as it had already started when Price withdrew.
As a result, Ryan Joyce advanced to the third round with a bye after his scheduled opponent, Ricardo Pietreczko, was also set to face Price in the second round. Joyce secured the bye following a hard-fought 6-5 victory over his German competitor.
Price, who had shared a photo of his inflamed hand on social media earlier in the week after a hospital visit, informed his fans on Friday that he was not ready for the Antwerp tournament. He expressed his disappointment on Instagram, stating that he had hoped to compete but his hand was not healed in time.
Apart from Price, other notable players like Luke Humphries, Nathan Aspinall, and Gary Anderson opted out of the event. However, Luke Littler, despite undergoing emergency dental treatment, remained in the draw. Littler shared his dental ordeal on social media, hoping to recover in time for the competition.
Having received a bye as one of the top 16 seeds, Littler advanced to the second round. Dylan Slevin will challenge him in the upcoming match, which is part of an evening session featuring other exciting matchups, including Michael van Gerwen versus Gian van Veen.
Antwerp still holds the possibility of a Belgian champion, with players like Kim Huybrechts, Mario Vandenbogaerde, and Mike De Decker showcasing strong performances. The tournament continues with high anticipation and excitement, highlighting the presence of dart legends and rising stars competing for victory.
