Grand Slam of Darts: Michael van Gerwen pips Beau Greaves in final-leg thriller as Luke Littler, Luke Humphries make profitable begins

Luke Littler and Luke Humphries each made profitable begins to the Grand Slam of Darts, as Michael van Gerwen defeated Beau Greaves in a final-leg thriller in Wolverhampton.

All 32 gamers featured on the opening day of the round-robin group stage at WV Energetic Aldersley in Wolverhampton, held throughout two classes, the place Greaves threatened an enormous upset in a high-scoring match in opposition to the three-time Grand Slam champion.

Greaves capitalised on some wayward ending by Van Gerwen to carry within the opening leg, with the following three going with throw, just for the Dutchman to drag forward within the contest by following a 11-dart break by profitable the following to maneuver 4-2 up.

The competition was dragged right into a decider after Greaves produced a 13-dart maintain and fired successive 180s on her option to a 12-dart break within the subsequent, with each gamers squandering match darts earlier than Van Gerwen snatched a dramatic victory on D3.

Greaves posted a 101.47 common and three maximums throughout her opening-day defeat, leaving her with work to succeed in the knockout levels for the primary time, with Niko Springer transferring prime of their group after his 5-3 win over former Grand Slam finalist Gary Anderson.

“To win the first game is always a relief for every player,” Van Gerwen mentioned. “I used to be placing strain on myself however it provides me confidence in direction of tomorrow night time.

“In my opinion there’s never been a better woman darts player, but now she needs to push herself. She’s still young but I have to focus on myself. It’s not going to get any easier – Niko Springer is next and then Gary Anderson, but I’m not going to walk away from it and you have to battle.”

Littler – trying to defend a TV title for the primary time and transfer to world No 1 – started his title defence with a 5-1 win over Karel Sedlacek, the place he produced some sensational set-up play and averaged 98 throughout a dominant show.

“I really wanted the whitewash win so I am a little bit disappointed,” Littler admitted. “That is the second main I’ve come to defend. It did not go effectively within the Premier League however I’m off to begin right here.

“I want to go back-to-back. If I can win tomorrow night then hopefully I can relax on Tuesday. Coming back here is full of great memories.”

2023 champion Humphries brushed apart Alex Spellman in straight legs, the place a 13-dart break and 14-dart maintain set him on his option to a one-side win the place his opponent by no means bought a dart at double.

Smith edges Aspinall on TV return

Connor Scutt survived a match dart when 4-3 down to fireplace 5 good darts – within the deciding leg – to beat Daryl Gurney in a topsy-turvy contest, leaving him second in Group E behind Littler.

Humphries tops Group A forward of former Grand Slam champion Michael Smith, who capitalised on Nathan Aspinall lacking 19 darts at double to say a 5-3 win in a repeat of the 2022 remaining.

“To get up there, to win that match is a bit emotional and I’m just glad to get over the line,” mentioned Smith, who has not appeared in a televised occasion since March’s UK Open. “Nathan should have won that. I just hung in there and I got the job done in the end, and I’ll take the win.”

Luke Woodhouse received the primary three legs of his 5-2 victory over Martin Schindler, earlier than closing out his win with an excellent 120 end, with Stephen Bunting then struggling a shock final-leg defeat to Alexis Toylo within the final match of the night.

Springer nailed a 152 end and received three straight legs from 3-2 right down to beat Anderson, who has progressed from the group stage yearly, with the Scot now going through Greaves in Sunday’s round-robin fixtures.

Van Veen pips Ashton as former champion Value overwhelmed

Three-time Grand Slam champion Gerwyn Value opened his marketing campaign with a final-leg defeat in opposition to Ricky Evans, regardless of exchanging seven maximums and touchdown an excellent 167 checkout within the contest.

Group D was blown huge open after James Wade was additionally overwhelmed in a final-leg decider, the place ‘The Machine’ squandered 4 match darts to see Stefan Bellmont snatch a 5-4 victory.

Cam Crabtree thrashed Jonny Clayton 5-1 to prime Group H forward of Danny Noppert, who survived match darts in his 5-4 win over Lukas Wenig, whereas Chris Dobey and Damon Heta opened Group B with 5-1 wins over Jurjen van der Velde and Martin Lukeman respectively.

Lisa Ashton took reigning world youth champion and European Championship winner Gian van Veen to a last-leg decider, the place the Dutchman claimed a slender win, whereas Wessel Nijman beat Josh Rock by the identical margin in that group.

What’s arising on Sunday?

One other double session of group-stage matches happen on Sunday, with the highest two in every group going head-to-head and the underside two in the identical group taking part in one another.

Afternoon session (dwell from 1pm on Sky Sports activities Combine)
Martin Lukeman vs Jurjen Van der Velde (B)
Jonny Clayton vs Lukas Wenig (H)
Josh Rock vs Lisa Ashton (F)
James Wade vs Gerwyn Value (D)
Ricky Evans vs Stefan Bellmont (D)
Danny Noppert vs Cam Crabtree (H)
Gian van Veen vs Wessel Nijman (F)
Chris Dobey vs Damon Heta (B)

Night session (dwell from 7pm on Sky Sports activities+ and seven.30pm on Sky Sports activities Principal Occasion)
Nathan Aspinall vs Alex Spellman (A)
Daryl Gurney vs Karel Sedlacek (E)
Stephen Bunting vs Martin Schindler (C)
Gary Anderson vs Beau Greaves (G)
Luke Littler vs Connor Scutt (E)
Luke Humphries vs Michael Smith (A)
Michael van Gerwen vs Niko Springer (G)
Luke Woodhouse vs Alexis Toylo (C)

Who will win the Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts? Watch all through the week dwell on Sky Sports activities. Dwell protection continues Sunday from 1pm on Sky Sports activities Combine, forward of the night session from 7pm on Sky Sports activities+ and Sky Sports activities Principal Occasion. Stream darts and extra prime sport with NOW