refused to shake hands with Cameron Menzies before their last-leg decider at the International Darts Open. Menzies held out a sportsmanlike hand with the players tied up at 5-5, but 'The Machine' kept it strictly business and left his Scottish rival hanging.
Menzies and Wade are two of the most intriguing on-stage personalities in the . Menzies is known for his theatrical reactions, such as when he and lay face down after miscalculating and hitting the wrong double at last month's European Darts Trophy. Wade, meanwhile, is a stern-faced competitor who has had run-ins with fellow pros in the past.
The pair did not gel particularly well when they went toe-to-toe in Germany on Saturday. Menzies and Wade's first-round match on the European Tour was thrilling for supporters as they were still level pegging after 10 legs.
Menzies went to shake Wade's hand as a gesture of good luck before the decisive 11th, but the Englishman refused and turned back towards the oche. Menzies would swiftly take his revenge by winning the leg against the darts.
Wade had his chances, missing a match dart at bullseye on a 124 checkout, and then two darts at double-10 when he came back to attempt 39. He was then punished by Menzies, who had 25 left and only needed one dart at double eight after hitting the single nine.
There was a hint of frostiness about the customary post-match handshake, too. Menzies held off his celebrations, turned around and offered his hand to Wade, who stood motionless for a second before accepting, patting his opponent on the shoulder and walking off.
Matches between Wade and Menzies have been thrilling over the past 12 months. Menzies made it to the quarter-finals at the Grand Slam of Darts courtesy of a last-leg decider win over Wade last year, and it was the exact reverse when they met at the UK Open in March.
Wade was not the only thrower sent packing prematurely on Saturday, as Dutchman Danny Noppert was beaten by Karel Sedlacek before Ricardo Pietreczko lost to Ross Smith.
A number of darting heavyweights made the trip to Germany, including world No. 1 Luke Humphries. But there is no Luke Littler, and Rob Cross withdrew before the event due to '', with Martin Schindler getting a bye into the second round as a result.
You may also like
Former Pakistan Players Remember "intellectual And Hospitable" Actor Manoj Kumar
IPL 2025: Gujarat's Pace Bowling Was Tough To Play Against, Says Cummins After Loss
The One Show's Matt Baker leaves Sunday Brunch fans speechless with wild nightclub past
'Dangerous conspiracy': Jamiat moves SC challenging validity of Waqf Act, 2025
Thief who tried to steal £350m diamond breaks silence in new Guy Ritchie documentary