WRIGHT SURVIVES MENZIES SCARE ON DAY ONE IN PRAGUE

Peter Wright began his defence of the Gambrinus Czech Darts Open with a deciding-leg victory over Cameron Menzies on Friday, as Mike De Decker and James Wade also starred in Prague.

Day One of the year’s final European Tour event saw 16 first round matches take place at PVA EXPO, with the race for European Championship qualification dominating the narrative.

Wright – also the reigning European Champion – will be among the 32 players battling it out for glory in Dortmund next week, and he made a winning start on his return to the Czech capital.

The two-time World Champion fended off a late rally from Menzies to triumph in a topsy-turvy affair, establishing 2-0, 4-2 and 5-3 leads before sealing the deal with a 14-dart break in the decider.