October has arrived, and with it comes one of the most unpredictable tournaments on the darting calendar – the World Grand Prix. Opening night brought short-format drama, double-start jeopardy, and plenty of early talking points.
No player wants to be the first heading for the exit, but for Rob Cross and Wessel Nijman, the schedule dictated it was one of them who had to blink first in the game of tungsten roulette.
Rob Cross 2–1 Wessel Nijman
Former World Champion Rob Cross was the first man through to round two, edging out Wessel Nijman 2–1. Dished out a banana skin in the shape of a six foot plus Dutchman who has just won a Players Championship wasn’t ideal.
However, that was the case.In a match packed with tension, that went the complete distance, Cross missed match darts, giving Nijman a shot at 127 – which he narrowly missed on the bull. Up stepped the Englishman – whose best Grand Prix run in eight attempts is a quarter-final – held his nerve to sneak through.
Martin Schindler 0–2 Krzysztof Ratajski
In a clash between the German and Polish number ones, The Eagle took flight and smashed through The Wall, dropping just one leg.
Ratajski only recently secured his place in this year’s event, having missed out entirely last season. His previous best run came back in 2021 when he reached the quarter-finals. If the Pole is to match or better that, he will need to beat world number one Luke Humphries. Spoiler – Cool Hand beat Aspinall which you will read about a littler further down.
Chris Dobey 0–2 Cameron Menzies
What a difference a year makes. Twelve months ago, Cameron Menzies left this very arena in tears after a horror show against Dave Chisnall. This time, the emotional Scot turned his fortunes around, upsetting Chris Dobey in style.
Now with those Grand Prix demons buried in Leicester deeper than King Richard III was, Menzies advances to face Rob Cross in round two. As for Dobey, he’s been open about his struggles on doubles recently – not ideal in a double-start event. But the Geordie’s as tough as they come and will no doubt bounce back.
James Wade 0–2 Joe Cullen
Joe Cullen’s season has been the ultimate rollercoaster – one week a title contender, the next looking like someone else is throwing for him. Facing two-time Grand Prix winner James Wade was hardly a friendly draw, yet The Rockstar played superbly, taking the first set without dropping a leg.Wade, as expected, fought back strongly, racing 2–0 ahead in the second set and looking nailed-on to level.
But Cullen dug deep, flipped the script, and sent the Aldershot ace packing – making it three seeded players out in just four matches.
Danny Noppert 2–1 Jermaine Wattimena
In a battle of the Dutch, class shone through as The Freeze held his nerve to send Wattimena home. Jermaine came out flying, taking the opening set with ease. But this format is more 400m than 100m – and The Machine Gun soon ran out of ammunition.Noppie levelled things in set two and then produced a trademark comeback, fighting from two legs down to complete the turnaround.
Wattimena had chances, but as ever, it’s the doubles that separate the great from the aspiring to be so.
Luke Humphries 2–0 Nathan Aspinall
A contest worthy of a final came far too soon as world number one Luke Humphries defeated Nathan Aspinall in straight sets to set up a tie with Ratajski.Both players would probably have accepted a redraw if offered – but such is the PDC’s depth these days, heavyweight ties come early.
Humphries edged the opening set after both men held throw, then surprisingly whitewashed The Asp in the second. Aspinall’s fightback never materialised, and one of the sport’s biggest names exits early.
Gary Anderson 2–1 Raymond van Barneveld
Two legends, five world titles between them – and still, neither had ever won the Grand Prix. After a monumental battle, it was Gary Anderson who edged out Raymond van Barneveld by the tightest of margins.Anderson dominated the opener; Barney hit back with a flawless second set to level. In the decider, with the legs tied at 2–2 and Barney throwing for victory, the Dutchman stumbled – failing to start promptly on the doubles.
Anderson pounced, got in first, and snatched victory. It wasn’t vintage, but the drama was pure Grand Prix gold. Cullen awaits in round two.
Stephen Bunting 2–0 Niko Springer
A fascinating contest between two in-form players ended with the popular Scouser progressing. The Bullet flew out of the blocks, taking the first set to nil with a perfect checkout record.Springer responded well, nicking the first leg of the second set and keeping pace, but Bunting eventually held firm – nailing tops with his third dart to avoid a decider.
Both averaged strongly, and on another night, Springer’s stats would’ve been enough. Unfortunately, averages don’t win matches – legs and sets do.Still, the young German can leave Leicester with his head held high, while Bunting marches on to face Danny Noppert in round two.
That wraps up a cracking opening night of tungsten theatre. Round two continues tomorrow – and if night one is anything to go by, expect upsets, missed doubles, and at least one player forgetting it’s a double-start format until it’s far too late.
—–Ends—–
Images: Simon O’Connor
