Darts results: Michael van Gerwen and Peter Wright come through thrillers to reach World Grand Prix quarter-finals

Five-time champion MVG, who last lifted this trophy back in 2019, dominated large periods of his clash with Stephen Bunting but the double-start set-play format allowed his opponent to give him a real scare at the Morningside Arena.

After wasteful finishing cost van Gerwen the opening set 3-2, the Dutchman's heavy scoring helped him roar back and win seven legs on the trot but the Bullet battled hard to stop the rot and take the fourth set to another deciding leg.

Bunting subsequently pinched it with a fine 15-darter and a match which had looked a formality 10 minutes earlier was now back on a knife edge.

Unfazed, MVG threw back-to-back maximums en route to a 14-darter in the opening leg of the deciding set before doubling his advantage in the next, although Bunting then held his nerve on the bullseye to take out 90 to keep the match alive.

The St Helens thrower threatened a break when scoring 101 on his first visit of the fourth leg compared to his opponent's 56 but MVG compiled scores of 100, 140 and 140 before taking out 65 for a thrilling victory.

Van Gerwen averaged an impressive 94 which was 10 points higher than Bunting managed and also hit six of the 10 180s, while he pinned 13 of his 36 finishing doubles.

“It means a lot to me. It was a really good battle and I’m glad I was able to keep my focus going,” reflected Van Gerwen, a Premier League and World Matchplay winner earlier this year.

“I know there is more in the tank, but I have to work harder and I need to make sure I don’t give my opponents chances early on, and that’s what I have to improve in my next game.”

Wright was also embroiled in a the drama of a five-setter but his stirring comeback against Krzysztof Ratajski saw him go beyond the second round for just the third time in his 11 World Grand Prix appearances.

Snakebite, who went on to reach the 2018 final when he last ventured this far, edged the opening set 3-2 only to lose the next two by the same scoreline as the Polish Eagle threatened what would have been his first stage victory over Wright in seven attempts.

The world champion, however, swiftly found an extra gear just when he needed it as he reeled off six legs of the spin - four of which being won in 15 darts or fewer - to seal his quarter-final spot.

Wright averaged an impressive 91 compared to Ratajski's 83 and hit eight of the 11 maximums, while he finished pretty clinically with a 41% checkout percentage.

“This tournament is not on my CV yet,” said Wright, who will regain the world number spot ahead of Gerwyn Price if he reaches Sunday’s final.

“I got to the final many years ago against Michael van Gerwen - when Michael was at the top of his game. It doesn’t get any easier [in the quarter-finals], but I can beat anyone with any darts.”

Clayton bowed out as Dimitri Van den Bergh claimed the fourth 3-2 victory of the night to set up a quarter-final with Wright.

However, Van den Bergh stole the headlines with an impressive all-round display, as the former World Matchplay winner secured his first quarter-final appearance in the double-start event.

Clayton hit the front with a clinical display of combination finishing - including a brace of 72 checkouts and a two-dart 92 outshot - before Van den Bergh levelled the tie with a 93 average in set two.

The Belgian, who has never reached the last eight of this tournament before, was dominating proceedings and he underlined his superiority in set three, converting 113 and 153 checkouts to move a set away from the last eight.

Van den Bergh then landed a 112 finish on tops to move a leg away from victory, but Clayton refused to surrender his crown without a fight, surviving match darts in successive legs and taking out 104 en route to wrapping up set four.

The Welshman struck the first blow in set five, but Van den Bergh arrested his slide with a crucial 110 checkout, before following up a 15-dart break with a superb 174 set-up shot, as he pinned double 16 to progress.

"I felt a whole lot of emotions. Nerves, confidence, happiness, frustration. All that was part of this game," reflected Van den Bergh. "I've had two great games and I'm feeling good. I'm so proud that I'm into the quarter-finals - my best run ever. I'm not scared of anybody and I just want to keep doing what I'm doing."

Van Gerwen will face Chris Dobey in Friday’s quarter-finals, after the 2019 semi-finalist edged out Adrian Lewis in a dramatic sudden-death leg to kick off Wednesday’s action.

Dobey was forced to survive a match dart at bull in a dramatic decider, but after spurning two match darts of his own in the penultimate leg, he made amends to seal victory with a nerveless 100 kill.

Lewis had raced into an early lead after reeling off the first four legs without reply, only for Dobey to return the favour, recovering from a nightmare start to restore parity at one set apiece.

Dobey’s superb 111 skin-saver midway through set three catapulted him into a 2-1 lead, but Lewis fought back valiantly, converting a 120 finish en route to setting up a fifth and final set.

The pair exchanged holds in a dramatic conclusion to the contest, but after fluffing his lines in leg four, Dobey regained his poise to prevail with his second ton-plus checkout of the tie.

“I’m just relieved to get over the line,” admitted Dobey, who is eyeing a place in his third televised semi-final.

“I’ve had so many battles with Adrian and I’ve got a good record against him, so I came up here full of confidence. He’s a fantastic player, and I’m over the moon to get through.”

World Grand Prix: Daily results and schedule

Monday October 3 (7pm)
First Round (Best of three sets)

• Callan Rydz 0-2 Krzysztof Ratajski
• Brendan Dolan 0-2 Stephen Bunting
• Chris Dobey 2-0 Luke Humphries
• Dimitri Van den Bergh 2-1 Dave Chisnall
• Jonny Clayton 2-1 Dirk van Duijvenbode
• Peter Wright 2-0 Kim Huybrechts
• Michael van Gerwen 2-0 Gary Anderson
• Jose de Sousa 0-2 Adrian Lewis

Tuesday October 4 (7pm)
First Round (Best of three sets)

• Madars Razma 2-1 Ryan Searle
• Ross Smith 2-1 Andrew Gilding
• Danny Noppert 2-0 Gabriel Clemens
• Joe Cullen 2-1 Damon Heta
• Rob Cross 1-2 Daryl Gurney
• James Wade 1-2 Martin Lukeman
• Gerwyn Price 2-0 Martin Schindler
• Michael Smith 1-2 Nathan Aspinall

Wednesday October 5 (7pm)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports
Second Round (Best of five sets)

• Adrian Lewis 2-3 Chris Dobey
• Peter Wright 3-2 Krzysztof Ratajski
• Michael van Gerwen 3-2 Stephen Bunting
• Jonny Clayton 2-3 Dimitri Van den Bergh

Thursday October 6 (7pm)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports
Second Round (Best of five sets)

• Martin Lukeman v Ross Smith
• Daryl Gurney v Madars Razma
• Gerwyn Price v Joe Cullen
• Nathan Aspinall v Danny Noppert

Friday October 7 (7pm)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports
Quarter-Finals (Best of five sets)

• Four Matches

Saturday October 8 (7pm)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports
Semi-Finals (Best of seven sets)

• Winner QF 1 v Winner QF 2
• Winner QF 3 v Winner QF 4

Sunday October 9 (7pm)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports
Final (Best of nine sets)

• Winner SF 1 v Winner SF 2

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