Darts results: James Wade wins well to book last-16 spot at Grand Slam of Darts
Former finalists Rob Cross and James Wade were amongst the six players to progress to the knockout stages of the Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts on Monday.
The third day of the event saw Groups A-D conclude at Wolverhampton’s WV Active Aldersley, as three-time runner-up Peter Wright saw his hopes of qualification quashed by Cross.
Ritchie Edhouse and Mickey Mansell had already confirmed their qualification prior to Monday’s play, and they were joined in the last 16 by a host of established names.
Wade will feature in the knockout stages for the 16th time in 17 appearances after sweeping aside Rowby-John Rodriguez in their winner-takes-all Group A showdown, sealing the deal with a terrific 121 finish.
“Rowby-John didn’t play at his best there, and I made the most of it,” admitted three-time Grand Slam runner-up Wade, who ended world champion Luke Humphries’ hopes of progressing from Group A on Sunday.
“I’m really happy to be through, and I’m looking forward to the next one!”
Humphries rounded off a difficult campaign in positive fashion, averaging 101 in a 5-1 thumping of Mansell.
The world number one was playing for pride in his final round-robin game, although he signed off from this year’s event in style, following up a brilliant 11-darter with a 135 checkout to triumph.
Following an incredible conclusion to Group B, Danny Noppert progressed alongside Cameron Menzies, who will compete in the last 16 of a TV ranking event for the first time.
Women’s World Matchplay champion Beau Greaves stormed to a 5-1 victory over Menzies, which left Martin Schindler needing just three legs against Noppert to join the Dutchman in the last 16.
Nevertheless, despite averaging 109, Schindler squandered four darts for qualification in a thrilling finale, as Noppert wrapped up a 5-2 success with a 106 average to send Menzies through.
“Beau played really well,” reflected Menzies, who will play Wade for a place in the quarter-finals. “Beau under no pressure is a scary Beau. She battered me to be fair.
“I think I got caught up thinking ‘just win, just win’. I’m very lucky to get through, but I guess that’s just darts for you!”
Cross needed to win just two legs against Wright to progress, and the 2023 runner-up ran out a comfortable 5-1 winner over the Scot to join Martin Lukeman in the knockout stages.
“I was playing a legend of the game,” reflected Cross, who has made it through the group stage in each of his eight Grand Slam appearances.
“Peter’s not at his best. He’s a two-time World Champion, he’s a great man and he’s given a lot to the game. I hope he can come back. I hope he can rebuild.
“I wasn’t at my best tonight, but it’s great to be through. It’s a longer format now so I can relax a little bit, and I’ll be ready to go on Wednesday.”
Elsewhere, Grand Slam debutant Lukeman made it three wins from three in Group C with a 5-3 victory against Leonard Gates, defying a mid-game rally from the American to prevail.
Lukeman will now meet Ross Smith for a place in the quarter-finals, after the former European Champion whitewashed a profligate Connor Scutt to confirm second spot in Group D.
Edhouse produced a terrific display to claim top spot in Group D, averaging 105 and landing five 180s to inflict a third straight defeat on Dave Chisnall, wrapping up proceedings with a ten-dart leg.
The Grand Slam of Darts group stage will conclude on Tuesday, as the final round-robin matches in Groups E-H take place at WV Active Aldersley.
Grand Slam of Darts: Daily Schedule and results
Click for Sky Bet's darts odds
Saturday November 9
Afternoon Session (1pm)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports
Group Matches (Best of 9 legs)
- Stephen Bunting 5-4 Wessel Nijman (H)
- Josh Rock 2-5 Gian van Veen (H)
- Dave Chisnall 0-5 Connor Scutt (D)
- Danny Noppert 5-2 Beau Greaves (B)
- Martin Schindler 2-5 Cameron Menzies (B)
- Rob Cross 5-2 Leonard Gates (C)
- Peter Wright 0-5 Martin Lukeman (C)
- Ross Smith 1-5 Ritchie Edhouse (D)
Evening Session (7pm)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports
Group Matches (Best of 9 legs)
- James Wade 3-5 Mickey Mansell (A)
- Gary Anderson 5-1 Ryan Joyce (G)
- Dimitri Van den Bergh 5-1 Lourence Ilagan (F)
- Michael Smith 5-2 Mensur Suljovic (E)
- Michael van Gerwen 5-0 Noa-Lynn van Leuven (G)
- Luke Littler 5-0 Keane Barry (F)
- Luke Humphries 3-5 Rowby-John Rodriguez (A)
- Mike De Decker 2-5 Jermaine Wattimena (E)
Sunday November 10
Afternoon Session (1pm)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports
Group Matches (Best of 9 legs)
- Danny Noppert 5-4 Cameron Menzies (B)
- Martin Schindler 5-1 Beau Greaves (B)
- Peter Wright 4-5 Leonard Gates (C)
- Rob Cross 3-5 Martin Lukeman (C)
- Dave Chisnall 2-5 Ross Smith (D)
- Ritchie Edhouse 5-2 Connor Scutt (D)
- Josh Rock 5-3 Wessel Nijman (H)
- Stephen Bunting 1-5 Gian van Veen (H)
Evening Session (7pm)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports
Group Matches (Best of 9 legs)
- Keane Barry 5-3 Lourence Ilagan (F)
- Ryan Joyce 5-3 Noa-Lynn van Leuven (G)
- Rowby-John Rodriguez 3-5 Mickey Mansell (A)
- Mike De Decker 5-2 Mensur Suljovic (E)
- James Wade 5-3 Luke Humphries (A)
- Michael Smith 1-5 Jermaine Wattimena (E)
- Michael van Gerwen 4-5 Gary Anderson (G)
- Dimitri Van den Bergh 1-5 Luke Littler (F)
Monday November 11 (7pm)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports
Group Matches (Best of 9 legs)
- Danny Noppert 5-2 Martin Schindler (B)
- Cameron Menzies 1-5 Beau Greaves (B)
- Peter Wright 1-5 Rob Cross (C)
- Leonard Gates 3-5 Martin Lukeman (C)
- Connor Scutt v Ross Smith (D)
- Dave Chisnall 2-5 Ritchie Edhouse (D)
- James Wade 5-1 Rowby-John Rodriguez (A)
- Luke Humphries 5-1 Mickey Mansell (A)
Tuesday November 12 (7pm)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports
Group Matches (Best of 9 legs)
- Keane Barry v Dimitri Van den Bergh (F)
- Lourence Ilagan v Luke Littler (F)
- Michael van Gerwen v Ryan Joyce (G)
- Gary Anderson v Noa-Lynn van Leuven (G)
- Michael Smith v Mike De Decker (E)
- Mensur Suljovic v Jermaine Wattimena (E)
- Josh Rock v Stephen Bunting (H)
- Wessel Nijman v Gian van Veen (H)
Wednesday November 13 (7pm)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports
Second Round (Best of 19 legs)
- James Wade v Cameron Menzies
- Danny Noppert v Mickey Mansell
- Martin Lukeman v Ross Smith
- Ritchie Edhouse v Rob Cross
Thursday November 14 (7pm)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports
Second Round (Best of 19 legs)
- Four Matches
Friday November 15
Evening Session (1pm)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports
Quarter-finals (Best of 31 legs)
- Two Matches
Saturday November 16
Evening Session (7pm)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports
Quarter-finals (Best of 31 legs)
- Two Matches
Sunday November 17
Afternoon Session (1pm)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports
Semi-finals (Best of 31 legs)
- Two Matches
Evening Session (7pm)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports
Final (Best of 31 legs)
- Winner SF 1 v Winner SF 2
What TV channel is the Grand Slam of Darts on?
Every session of the Grand Slam of Darts will be televised live on Sky Sports.
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