Sensation! Rodriguez defeats European champion in Grand Slam opener

Austria's sole representative at this year's Grand Slam of Darts has kicked off the tournament with a win!

Rusty-Jake Rodriguez defeated PDC world number six Ross Smith 5-3. "RJR" averaged 83.43 points, while the Englishman posted an average of 86.51. The decisive factor was Rodriguez's superior checkout percentage of 41.67 percent.

However, Rodriguez's qualification for the next round is not yet sealed. On Sunday, the Austrian number two will face Gabriel Clemens (GER/PDC No. 53). A victory against the "German Giant" would secure his place in the round of 16, and even a narrow defeat could potentially be enough to advance.