The PDC's Grand Slam of Darts got underway in Wolverhampton, and at WV Active, the opening session proved one full of twists and turns.
The unique tournament began with the first session of the group stage, and the action was hard and heavy from the first game onward.
32 players lined up in the UK city in search of the £150,000 first prize and Saturday afternoon had plenty upsets were in evidence with Group D providing much of the the drama, with Ricky Evans sinking three-time former winner Gerwyn Price in their opening match.
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A 109 finish levelled the tie at 3-3 for ‘Rapid’ in a match packed full of break of throws, but when Price took out 167 to force a final leg, it looked like the momentum was with the Welshman despite the Kettering man having the darts in the ninth leg, but Evans wouldn’t be denied, an 86 checkout clinching a superb win on double 16.
That shock was swiftly followed by another, as PDC Winmau Challenge Tour Order of Merit winner Stefan Bellmont stunned James Wade, rallying from 3-0 down to edge out ‘The Machine’ in a final-leg thriller.
Wade missed two darts in the decider to win it himself, before the Swiss found double 14 to secure a famous victory.
Group H saw Jonny Clayton humbled by debutant Cam Crabtree, who was perfect on the doubles and averaged over 99 in a solid 5-1 win against ‘The Ferret’.
The tournament was kicked off by a man in form, but Danny Noppert had to survive seven match darts against Lukas Wenig before edging past the German 5-4 in their Group H opener.
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Newly crowned European Champion Gian van Veen survived a scare, eventually coming from 4-3 down to take a 5-4 win against Women’s World Matchplay Champion Lisa Ashton in Group F.
Wessel Nijman completed a comeback in his first Group F match, with the Dutchman taking out 130 followed by a 13-darter to take a 5-4 win against Josh Rock. ‘Rocky’ missed match darts earlier in the contest, and averaged over 109, but it was the Dutchman, who averaged over 101 himself, that bagged the two points on offer.
Chris Dobey was in a ruthless mood, as he took out finishes of 130, 114 and 107 in a fine 5-1 success against Jurjen van der Velde in Group B.
The other match in the group saw another 5-1 winner, with Damon Heta easing past 2024 finalist Martin Lukeman.
The action continues tonight, with the evening session seeing Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson all on duty.
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