THE third German Darts Masters begins on Friday and sees Mensur Suljovic bidding to retain his title in the two-day PDC World Series of Darts event in Cologne.
Austrian Suljovic was victorious in front of a world record crowd in Gelsenkirchen last year when the World Series returned to Germany.
Suljovic's memorable success was his second big-stage title as he defeated Dimitri Van den Bergh in the decider, and he opens his challenge to defend the title against Maik Langendorf on Friday.
"I've enjoyed the German Darts Masters for the last two years and to win it in 2018 was a really special moment for me," said Suljovic. "It was a fantastic tournament and one of the highlights of my career.
"It would be special again this week if I was to win and I know it's very hard because it's the best players in the world. I can't wait to play in front of the huge German crowds again."
The World Series of Darts event has moved to Cologne's Lanxess Arena in 2019, where German number one Max Hopp will be leading the challenge of eight home representatives.
Hopp will take on world number two Rob Cross in their opening fixture, while Martin Schindler meets World Champion Michael van Gerwen.
Fast-emerging Gabriel Clemens - who now sports the "German Giant" nickname - will be aiming to secure a big-stage win over five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld, who continues his final year before retiring with an appearance in Cologne.
2017 German Darts Masters champion Peter Wright, a semi-finalist in the US Darts Masters last weekend, plays Robert Marijanovic, and reigning World Series of Darts Finals winner James Wade takes on fellow left-hander Kevin Munch.
Gary Anderson plays emerging 22-year-old Nico Kurz, while Daryl Gurney takes on Christian Bunse - a 24-year-old who won a PDC Tour Card this year.
Following Friday's first round, the PDC World Series of Darts event concludes on Saturday with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final in one session at the Lanxess Arena. For tickets, please visit www.eventim.de.
The German Darts Masters is the second of five international events on the World Series of Darts circuit, following last week's US Darts Masters and preceding the August treble-header in Brisbane, Melbourne and Hamilton.
2019 German Darts Masters
Draw Bracket
(1) Peter Wright v Robert Marijanovic
Gary Anderson v Nico Kurz
(4) Daryl Gurney v Christian Bunse
James Wade v Kevin Munch
(2) Michael van Gerwen v Martin Schindler
Mensur Suljovic v Maik Langendorf
(3) Rob Cross v Max Hopp
Raymond van Barneveld v Gabriel Clemens
Schedule of Play
Friday July 12 (2000 start local time)
First Round
James Wade v Kevin Munch
Gary Anderson v Nico Kurz
Daryl Gurney v Christian Bunse
Peter Wright v Robert Marijanovic
Raymond van Barneveld v Gabriel Clemens
Mensur Suljovic v Maik Langendorf
Michael van Gerwen v Martin Schindler
Rob Cross v Max Hopp
All games best of 11 legs
Saturday July 13 (2000 start local time)
Quarter-Finals
Wright/Marijanovic v Anderson/Kurz
Gurney/Bunse v Wade/Munch
Van Gerwen/Schindler v Suljovic/Langendorf
Cross/Hopp v Van Barneveld/Clemens
Semi-Finals
Wright/Marijanovic/Anderson/Kurz v Gurney/Bunse/Wade/Munch
Van Gerwen/Schindler/Suljovic/Langendorf v Cross/Hopp/Van Barneveld/Clemens
Final
v
All games best of 15 legs