The World Grand Prix reached its midpoint stage, with this evening’s action in Leicester set to determine the remainder of Friday’s quarter-final line-up.
Two of the matches were already confirmed: world number one Luke Humphries will face Cameron Menzies, while the legendary Scot Gary Anderson prepares to take on Danny Noppert.
But the big question was – which other four players would join them on the Mattioli Arena bill tomorrow night? Let’s find out.
Dirk van Duijvenbode 3-0 Daryl Gurney (3-0, 3-0, 3-2)
An impressive performance from the Dutchman saw him cruise into the quarter-finals in a tournament which first put him on the darting map. It’s fair to say there was as much contrast in the players’ walk-ons as there was in their playing styles – and on paper, this looked like one of the night’s most evenly balanced encounters.
Former runner-up, Dirk entered to his usual pounding techno soundtrack, while Gurney conducting the crowd as Sweet Caroline echoed around the arena. With the music done, it was down to business – and it was the Dutchman who was doing the orchestrating, racing into the lead with three unanswered legs to take the opening set in style.
If Gurney had a game-plan during the break, it didn’t work. Within minutes, it was deja vu as The Aubergenius once again pinned double 18 for another clean-sweep set to move two clear. Sensing blood, the 2020 runner-up went in for the kill, storming two legs ahead in just a dozen darts and leaving Superchin in desperate need of heroics.
To his credit, Gurney dug deep and levelled the set – but Dirk was simply too strong, holding firm to take the decider and complete a straight-sets victory.
Jonny Clayton 3-1 Luke Woodhouse (3-1, 0-3, 3-1, 3-1)
Former Grand Prix champ, Jonny Clayton keeps his hopes alive of a second Grand Prix title with a solid display to overcome Luke Woodhouse.
The Welshman needed to do a bit of digging deep in this one, but being a Ferret, that’s not much of a problem. After claiming the opening set, Clayton clearly looked like the advert break did him no favours, barely troubling the treble 20 bed.
Woodhouse wasn’t exactly on fire, but he was the only one creating chances at doubles – ten to Jonny’s zero.But for Woody, that was as close as he got. The 2021 champ on this very stage hit the afterburners, brilliant in set three and more than good enough in the fourth. Job done.
The Harrow’s man will obviously be irked after fighting back to level early on, but in truth, he was second best after that. Clayton marches on to yet another major quarter-final of the year and now prepares for an aubergine-shaped clash tomorrow evening.
Luke Littler 3–0 Mike De Decker (3–1, 3–1, 3–0)
Reigning World Champion Luke Littler ended the reign of the Grand Prix title holder, storming past a Belgian who simply had no response to the teenager’s onslaught. In round one, The Nuke was sublime, and given this is one of the trophies he eagerly wants to add to his growing silverware collection, De Decker was always facing an uphill battle to keep hold of his crown.
The teenager came flying out of the blocks to take the opening set in double-quick time. After the break, a slightly more measured Littler still doubled his lead against a very flat defending champ. Eager to wrap things up quickly, the Warringtonian hit the turbo once more and ended a one-sided affair in fitting fashion – a spot of fishing to reel in the big fish, sending the Leicester crowd into raptures and Luke into the quarter-finals.
Gerwyn Price v Josh Rock (3-1, 3-0, 3-0)Gezzy isn’t the only Welshman who remains on course for another piece of Grand Prix glory after comfortably seeing off a below-par Josh Rock. Normally, when Ice and Rock collide, it creates a cacophony of thunderous noise that reverberates for miles. Sadly for darts fans, this contest began with the silence of a feather landing in a bowl of jelly.
After a scrappy slugfest, Price gratefully took a messy opening set. Cue viewers heading off to make a brew hoping the match heated up as quickly as their kettle.
Price must have sensed their wishes because after the interval, it looked like someone had poked the Red Dragon maestro with a stick, as he came out breathing fire and produced a ferocious display.
Rocky improved but not enough to keep pace with a Welshman who looked intent on booking a quarter-final showdown with Luke Littler.
Well, Gezzy – you’ve got your wish.
If these two bring their A-game tomorrow, it should be an absolute belter.
—–Ends—–
Images: PDC
