During the Last 64 stage of the UK Open, a heated moment unfolded between Mensur Suljović and Jermaine Wattimena that quickly became one of the most talked-about incidents of the round.
Midway through the match, tensions boiled over when Suljović reacted angrily to an action by Wattimena. The Austrian made his frustration clear, confronting the Dutchman in a moment that was captured on camera and has since circulated widely online.
NEEDLE! pic.twitter.com/BPnYHeicsF
— Warren (@warrenallsworth) March 6, 2026
Reactions on social media have been divided, with fans debating what exactly happened during the incident. Because of this, footage also shows the moment leading up to Suljović’s outburst, allowing viewers to judge the situation for themselves.
A Turning Point in the Match
The incident appeared to have a significant impact on the match itself. At the time, the score was locked at 4–4, with both players evenly matched and the outcome still wide open.
However, the momentum shifted dramatically afterward. Wattimena managed to win only one more leg, while Suljović took control of the contest and eventually secured a convincing 10–5 victory.
Unique Format of the UK Open
Suljović’s win means he returns to action on Saturday in what is widely regarded as one of the most unique tournaments on the professional darts calendar.
What sets the UK Open apart from most other events is its open draw format. After every round, the remaining players are placed back into the draw and matched randomly for the next stage.
This means seeding plays no role, and any player can face any opponent at any time. As a result, high-profile clashes between top names can occur much earlier in the tournament than usual.
One of the Toughest Titles to Win
The unpredictable draw makes the UK Open one of the most difficult titles to capture on the Professional Darts Corporation circuit. While some players may benefit from a favorable draw, others could encounter elite opponents in every round.
This unpredictability is exactly what gives the tournament its reputation and makes the title such a valuable addition to a player’s career résumé.
So far, four Dutch players have managed to win the UK Open: Michael van Gerwen, Raymond van Barneveld, Roland Scholten and Danny Noppert.
Their victories underline both the prestige of the tournament and the challenge it presents to even the very best players in the sport.