The high-stakes drama at Butlin’s Minehead during the 2026 UK Open took an unexpected turn off the oche when Kevin Doets’ new girlfriend, Bianca Rangel, found herself at the center of attention. The young Brazilian, who studies Languages and International Relations at the University of Porto, is the daughter of former PDC darts player Bruno Rangel. She watched in anguish as her partner battled world number one Luke Littler in a tense last-16 clash, her passionate support for the Dutch underdog turning to visible disappointment when the match slipped away.
Doets, the 27-year-old rising talent, pushed Littler to the brink in what became one of the tournament’s most gripping encounters. Entering as the heavy underdog, Doets outaveraged his illustrious opponent—posting a sharp 97.22 to Littler’s 93.68—and looked poised for a major upset after seizing early breaks and building momentum. The crowd buzzed with excitement as he threatened to take control, nearly leading 3-0 before Littler fought back. Bianca was among the most vocal in the arena, wildly cheering every Doets leg win, fist-pumping and roaring encouragement as her boyfriend traded blows with the teenage sensation.
Her energy reflected the fresh romance; the pair have been together recently, with Bianca accompanying Doets to major events and bringing a vibrant presence to his corner. As the daughter of Bruno Rangel—a Brazilian darts competitor who competed on the PDC circuit in earlier years—she grew up immersed in the sport, giving her cheers an extra layer of personal investment. Family ties to darts run deep, and her enthusiasm for Doets’ performance was unmistakable, turning heads in the packed venue.
The match itself was a rollercoaster. Littler, defending his UK Open title and chasing back-to-back wins—a feat achieved only by legends Raymond van Barneveld and Michael van Gerwen—started sluggishly, admitting afterward that early afternoon sessions drain him. “It’s tough getting up,” he said post-match. “I got the job done, but Kevin played far better than me.” Doets capitalized, hitting precise trebles and breaking Littler multiple times to stay in contention right until the closing stages. At 9-8 down, Doets threw for the match with 91 on the board while Littler nursed 146, but a crucial miss allowed the champion to step in, finish 60 on double tops, and escape with a 10-8 victory.
As the final dart landed, Bianca’s elation evaporated into crestfallen silence. Cameras captured her deflated expression—head in hands, the spark of hope extinguished—as Doets shook hands with Littler and exited the stage. The moment underscored the emotional toll of elite darts, where even passionate support from loved ones can’t always sway the outcome. For Bianca, the defeat stung doubly: not only had her boyfriend fallen short of a career-defining win against the sport’s biggest star, but the cheers she poured into every Doets dart had been in vain.
The episode added a human, heartfelt dimension to the UK Open’s afternoon session. While Littler advanced to the quarter-finals—poised to continue his pursuit of history—Doets’ brave showing earned respect, and Bianca’s visible heartbreak reminded fans that behind every arrow lies personal stakes. In the unforgiving world of professional darts, where margins are razor-thin, even the loudest cheers sometimes end in quiet disappointment. Yet for the couple, the journey continues, with Bianca’s support likely to remain as fervent as ever in future battles.
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