Last update: 17/11/22 23:20 Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Josh Rock stunned Michael van Gerwen with a superb nine-dart finish Josh Rock stunned Michael van Gerwen with a superb nine-dart finish Michael van Gerwen showed his class in one of the greatest Grand Slam of Darts matches ever played to beat Josh Rock and book his place in the quarter-finals in Wolverhampton. The last 16 contest got off to an electric start as the rising Rock hit a spectacular nine-dart in the second leg, sending the crowd into a frenzy and steadying himself to watch.

Thursday 17 November – Results

                Last 16 (Best of 19 legs) Nathan Aspinall 10-6 Jermaine Watmena Jonny Clayton 8-10 Alan Soutar Michael van Gerwen 10-8 Josh Rock Luke Humphries 10-8 Ross Smith

In typical Van Gerwen fashion, he remained unconcerned and continued to average over 120 as Rock took an early lead before both players held their shots brilliantly to level the match at 5-5. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Van Gerwen completed the double-10 as he came out on top 10-8 in an epic match against the Rock.
Van Gerwen completed the double-10 as he came out on top 10-8 in an epic match against the Rock.
Rock, 21, dropped just two darts in doubles in the opening 13 legs but Van Gerwen continued to hold before the pivotal moment came in the 14th leg as he broke the putt and then held in the 15th to go 9-7 ahead before seal a 10-8 triumph in an absolute classic. After securing his place in the quarter-finals, Van Gerwen was full of praise for his opponent and believes Rock is on track to become a future champion. “Playing at the highest level is what I enjoy the most,” said the Dutchman. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Van Gerwen believes Rock will be champion one day after beating him in a classic match
Van Gerwen believes Rock will be champion one day after beating him in a classic match “I like to have fights, I like to have good games and what this guy is producing right now, Josh Rock, we’re going to be hearing a lot about him soon. “But I still had to beat him and it wasn’t easy, I had to dig deep today. This is the best I’ve played in a long time and I had to do it. When you play a guy of that caliber, he’s got to be an amazing talent. “People think I’m a robot, but I’m not a robot, I’m human. “I told him to keep his aim and he will be a champion on this stage, simple as that.”

Live Grand Slam of Darts

November 18, 2022, 7:00 PM Live
Jonny Clayton suffered a shock 10-8 defeat at the hands of Alan Soutar, the Scot started well and broke Clayton twice to take a 3-2 lead as his treble accuracy put him firmly on the front foot. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Watch Alan Soutar make this impressive 114 against Jonny Clayton
Watch Alan Soutar make this impressive 114 against Jonny Clayton Clayton fought back and broke the shot to make it 6-4, a spectacular finish of 136 giving him some confidence but Shooter was going nowhere and a ton finish and two breaks of his own put the momentum back. A late swing saw Clayton pull the tie back to 9-8 but Shooter held his nerve and took out his favorite D18 for the win and a place in his first major quarter-final. Luke Humphries overcame Ross Smith 10-8 in a close encounter to set up a quarter-final clash with Van Gerwen. The first few legs were tight, but a break of serve in the fifth leg gave Humphries the advantage and a 3-2 lead at the break. Despite Humphries constantly finding the break, Smith fought back with breaks and forehands of his own, but his doubles struggles cost him.

Friday November 17 – Programs (19:00)

                Quarterfinals (Best of 31 legs) Michael Smith                                                vs                                                Joe Cullen Raymond van Barneveld                                                vs                                                Gerwyn Price

With the throw for the match, Humphries scored D8 and ended the new European champion’s Grand Slam run. Nathan Aspinall powered past Jermaine Wattimena in a packed encounter to secure his place in the last eight, winning four of the first five games to quickly race into a 4-1 lead, three maximums in the first three legs putting the pressure on the opposition . Wattimena rallied to break the throw and bring the tie to 8-5 as Aspinall battled to D16 but Aspinall’s quality was too high and he closed out the match with a 10-6 success. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Nathan Aspinall has reflected on his win over Jermaine Wattimena and reveals how letting people back into the games is letting his family down at the Grand Slam of Darts.
Nathan Aspinall has reflected on his win over Jermaine Wattimena and reveals how letting people back into the games is letting his family down at the Grand Slam of Darts. “I started the race well and felt like the Nathan of old,” said Aspinall. “I had a wobble in the middle, but then I finished the race really well.” The quarter-finals begin on Friday night as Michael Smith takes on Joe Cullen and Raymond van Barneveld faces a rematch with Gerwin Price. Watch the Grand Slam of Darts at Aldersley Leisure Village in Wolverhampton until the final on 20 November – with every session live on Sky Sports & don’t forget the World Championships are also coming to Sky Sports from 15 December to 3 January .