Key Highlights
- Dutch players dominated the Grand Slam of Darts, with Michael van Gerwen losing to Danny Noppert.
- Luke Littler secured his place in the quarter-finals with a commanding 10-4 victory over Wessel Nijman.
- Josh Rock narrowly avoided defeat against Connor Scutt but managed to advance into the quarter-finals.
- Danny Noppert and Lukas Wenig progressed to their first major tournament quarter-final.
The Grand Slam of Darts: A Night of Thrilling Upsets and Breakout Performances
The Grand Slam of Darts, one of the most prestigious events in the darts calendar, saw a series of unexpected results on Thursday. Dutch players dominated the proceedings, with Michael van Gerwen losing to Danny Noppert in a closely contested match that featured several impressive ton-plus finishes and ‘Big Fish’ moments.
A Night of Drama: Van Gerwen’s Shocking Defeat
In what is being described as one of the best sessions of darts ever, Michael van Gerwen faced Danny Noppert in an all-Dutch clash. Both players showcased their skills with several ton-plus checkouts and even a 101 from Noppert and a sensational 160 checkout by Van Gerwen. Despite the early excitement, Grand Slam form seemed to take over as Noppert gained control later in the match.
Noppert recounted his nerves after winning the match: “At the end I couldn’t take it out!
Over the whole game I played well, everything went my way, but in the end I was a little bit nervous. Why was I nervous? I don’t know.
I didn’t need to be nervous. I could have got over the line easier.” He added: “It was a rollercoaster. I think I coped under pressure and scored well in the game, so I’m really happy.”
Stunning Quarter-Finals Line-Up
Luke Littler, another Dutch player, booked his spot in the quarter-finals with a dominant 10-4 win over Wessel Nijman. In what was described as an “imperious doubling display,” Littler secured his place in history by outscoring Nijman and maintaining a near 111 average throughout the match. With this victory, Littler now faces Josh Rock in the quarter-finals.
Rock had to fight hard against Connor Scutt in a deciding-leg battle that went all the way.
Despite taking an early lead of 3-0, Rock struggled with his scoring and hitting 180s. The match came down to a crucial 14-dart leg on D9, which Rock managed to hold together to secure his quarter-final spot.
Meanwhile, Danny Noppert will face Lukas Wenig in the quarter-finals after pulling off an incredible win over Niko Springer with a 10-8 victory. This monumental moment saw Wenig showcasing exceptional skill on the doubles with a success rate of 53%, securing his place in history.
Looking Ahead: A Star-Studded Line-Up for Friday
The quarter-finals are set to begin on Friday, November 14, at 7pm. Ricky Evans will take on Gerwyn Price, while a battle of former Grand Slam champions between Luke Humphries and Michael Smith awaits.
“I just want to win as quick as possible,” Littler emphasized his ambitions after securing his spot in the quarter-finals. “If someone plays their best darts, they might catch me but tonight felt very good. I have my eyes on everything, the title, world No 1.”
