Key Highlights
- Michael van Gerwen and Josh Rock advance to the knockout stages of the Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts.
- Dutch players dominate the tournament, with Wessel Nijman also securing a spot in the knockout rounds.
- Luke Littler maintains his undefeated record at Wolverhampton and will face Wessel Nijman on Thursday.
- The tournament continues on Wednesday with a series of second-round matches.
Michael van Gerwen’s Triumph in Group G
World number three Michael van Gerwen secured top spot in Group G after an impressive display against his great rival Gary Anderson. Van Gerwen achieved an average of 108.45 to clinch the lead, setting up a matchup against Danny Noppert in Round Two. “I’m very glad to go through and top the table,” van Gerwen stated, emphasizing that he still has much work to do in this tournament.
Van Gerwen’s victory over Anderson was particularly significant as it marked the first group stage exit for the Scottish icon after 18 Grand Slam appearances. “You always need to try and find the right balance and mentality,” van Gerwen reflected, expressing satisfaction with his performance despite the high level of competition.
Josh Rock and Wessel Nijman’s Group F Success
Josh Rock and Wessel Nijman emerged victorious from a star-studded Group F. The newly crowned European Champion Gian van Veen and Women’s World Matchplay champion Lisa Ashton were eliminated, with Rock defeating van Veen in an all-important final match to claim top spot. “Obviously Gian beat me here last year, so it was good to put that right,” Rock commented, expressing relief at reclaiming his position.
Nijman achieved a whitewash over Lisa Ashton and then secured the winner-takes-all clash against Rock. His victory in this decisive match positioned him for a quarter-final berth on Thursday evening. “I’m looking forward to playing Danny. He’s a fantastic player and he’s playing really well at the moment, but I know I can step up when it matters,” Nijman added.
Other Notable Performances
Luke Littler maintained his impeccable record in Wolverhampton with a 5-1 victory over Daryl Gurney. The reigning champion has won all ten of his matches on the Grand Slam stage and expressed satisfaction after making it three wins from three in this tournament. “I always enjoy the longer format, and hopefully I can produce my best darts on Thursday,” Littler remarked.
Lukas Wenig also had a memorable night, advancing to the knockout stages as top seed in Group H. His 5-1 victory against Cam Crabtree featured a 167 checkout, marking another milestone in his dream debut campaign at the Grand Slam. Wenig will face Niko Springer in Round Two.
Upcoming Matches and Broadcast Details
The Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts continues on Wednesday with a series of second-round matches. Key fixtures include:
- Luke Woodhouse vs Ricky Evans
- Gerwyn Price vs Martin Schindler
- Jurjen van der Velde vs Luke Humphries
- Chris Dobey vs Michael Smith
- Luke Woodhouse vs Ricky Evans (1900 GMT)
- Gerwyn Price vs Martin Schindler (1900 GMT)
- Jurjen van der Velde vs Luke Humphries (1900 GMT)
- Chris Dobey vs Michael Smith (1900 GMT)
The 2025 Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts is being broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK, through the PDC’s worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and Viaplay. The tournament continues to attract global attention with its high-stakes competitions and top-tier players.
