Belgian No 1 Mike De Decker set up blockbuster encounter against world No 1 Luke Littler at the SUPERBET Poland Darts Masters as Krzysztof Ratajski delivered on home soil.
De Decker battled past European Tour debutant Marvin Kraft to create a fascinating contest against Littler on Saturday evening.
Ratajski will take on world No 2 Luke Humphries after marking his return to home soil with victory in Krakow.
The PDC European Tour's first visit to Poland saw Ratajski take centre stage on Day One at the EXPO, courtesy of a clinical 6-3 victory over former Grand Slam of Darts semi-finalist Mickey Mansell.
Ratajski - roared on by a partisan home crowd - defied an average of almost 99 from Mansell to progress, producing a typically efficient display to set up a blockbuster clash with Humphries.
"This was one of the most valuable wins in my career, for sure," said Ratajski, a World Championship quarter-finalist.
"I was very nervous tonight. The expectation was high, but I played my game and I'm really happy I won for this great crowd.
"Of course I want to win [against Humphries]. This will be something special, but I will prepare like I always do for every game."
Andrew Gilding produced the performance of the day in Krakow, reeling off six consecutive legs from 3-0 adrift to stun Sweden's No 1 Jeffrey de Graaf with a 106.55 average.
Gilding will now take on Dutch No 1 Gian van Veen in round two.
Wessel Nijman will go head to head with Gary Anderson in one of Saturday's standout ties, after the Dutchman maintained his bright start to 2026 with a 6-3 victory against Thomas Lovely.
However, Dirk van Duijvenbode's late flurry against Adam Gawlas came in vain, as the Czech youngster prevailed by the same scoreline to book a tie against Premier League leader Jonny Clayton.
There was a continental flavour to Friday's action, as Spanish star Cristo Reyes landed six 180s and pinned 60 per cent of his attempts at double to dump out Niko Springer on his European Tour return.
Croatia's Boris Krcmar, meanwhile, averaged 102.44 to deny an impressive Ryan Joyce and move through to a clash with German No 1 Martin Schindler.
Cameron Menzies and James Wade will also collide for a place in the last 16, after the Scot crashed in nine 180s to complete a 6-4 success against former European champion Ritchie Edhouse.
Darryl Pilgrim claimed the scalp of a profligate Dave Chisnall to set up a showdown against Nathan Aspinall, while Luke Woodhouse ran out a convincing 6-2 winner against Carl Sneyd.
2026 SUPERBET Poland Darts Open
Friday February 20
Round One
Afternoon Session
Cameron Menzies 6-4 Ritchie Edhouse
William O'Connor 6-4 Andreas Harrysson
Boris Krcmar 6-3 Ryan Joyce
Luke Woodhouse 6-2 Carl Sneyd
Niels Zonneveld 6-2 Piotr Maciejczak
Andrew Gilding 6-3 Jeffrey de Graaf
Jermaine Wattimena 6-4 Miroslaw Grudziecki
Darryl Pilgrim 6-4 Dave Chisnall
Evening Session
Wessel Nijman 6-3 Thomas Lovely
Daryl Gurney 6-1 Dawid Robak
Connor Scutt 6-4 Damon Heta
Krzysztof Ratajski 6-3 Mickey Mansell
Adam Gawlas 6-3 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Cristo Reyes 6-3 Niko Springer
Joe Cullen 6-2 Krzysztof Kciuk
Mike De Decker 6-4 Marvin Kraft
Saturday February 21
Round Two
Afternoon Session (12pm)
Martin Schindler v Boris Krcmar
Chris Dobey v Connor Scutt
Nathan Aspinall v Darryl Pilgrim
Danny Noppert v Jermaine Wattimena
Gary Anderson v Wessel Nijman
James Wade v Cameron Menzies
Ross Smith v Daryl Gurney
Ryan Searle v Cristo Reyes
Evening Session (6pm)
Josh Rock v William O'Connor
Jonny Clayton v Adam Gawlas
Michael Smith v Joe Cullen
Luke Littler v Mike De Decker
Callan Rydz v Luke Woodhouse
Luke Humphries v Krzysztof Ratajski
Stephen Bunting v Niels Zonneveld
Gian van Veen v Andrew Gilding
Who will win this year's Premier League Darts? Luke Humphries will be defending his title and you can watch the action every single Thursday from February until May on Your Site. .
