Despite suffering defeat to James Wade, Phil Taylor joined Michael van Gerwen, Rob Cross, Raymond van Barneveld and Daryl Gurney in the last sixteen of the Grand Slam of Darts. Wade, Peter Wright, Gary Anderson, Daryl Gurney and Dave Chisnall will all be there too as the Round One Group Stage threw up little in the way of surprises.
The path to the final 16
For Taylor, progression into the knockout stages of his last ever Grand Slam was secured without even throwing a dart following Robbie Green’s shock 5-3 defeat to the BDO’s Peter Machin who had already been eliminated.
Green almost beat The Power on Sunday before the departing legend showed the class of old to fight back to a 4-3 win. However, last night in a match against James Wade The Power wasn’t able to match his opponent, averaging just under 85 and missing 11 darts at doubles in a 5-3 defeat that saw both men progress.
Elsewhere, two-time defending champion Michael van Gerwen — who was already guaranteed a place in Round Two — topped Group A after he made it three wins out of three following a 5-2 victory over Joe Murnan in which the Dutchman averaged over 108.
The world number one and pre-tournament favourite was followed out of the group by Rob Cross who secured a runner up spot with a 5-2 triumph over the BDO’s Ross Montgomery. In Group B, Raymond van Barneveld and second-placed Steve Lennon both moved into the last 16 at the expense of Gerwyn Price, the biggest name eliminated so far.
Group D was sorted in dramatic style after a nine-dart shootout was required to decide the result between Websters, Mark and Darren. The pair — which are no relation — returned to the oche after their match was tied with Mark scoring 298. Darren, who had previously lost 5-1 to Daryl Gurney, landed a brilliant win-or-die treble 19 with his last shot to total 301 and take the group’s second place behind Gurney.
The other groups were all finished on Monday, meaning we already knew Peter Wright had failed to secure the top spot in his admittedly tough Group E. He took second place behind Glen Durrant of the BDO, which we predicted as a possible outcome last week. Stephen Bunting topped Group F at the expense of Dave Chisnall, who still progresses as do the first and second place finishers of Group G — Mensur Suljovic and Michael Smith respectively.
There were also no surprises in the final group as the world number two Gary Anderson ran out the winner and was joined in the last 16 by Berry van Peer, despite his attack of Dartitis on Monday night.
Prices for final 16
Heading into the final 16, Betway has updated their outright odds accordingly.
Michael van Gerwen (8/11), Gary Anderson (11/2), Peter Wright (10/1), Phil Taylor (10/1), Mensur Suljovic (18/1), Daryl Gurney (20/1), Rob Cross (20/1), Glen Durrant (22/1), Raymond van Barneveld (40/1), Dave Chisnall (50/1), Michael Smith (66/1), James Wade (80/1), Stephen Bunting (100/1), Darren Webster (150/1), Steve Lennon (250/1) and Berry van Peer (500/1).
Second Round (Best of 19 legs)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports Action/Main Event (19:00)
Wednesday November 15
Mensur Suljovic v Berry van Peer
Glen Durrant (BDO) v Dave Chisnall
Gary Anderson v Michael Smith
Stephen Bunting v Peter Wright
Thursday November 16
Michael van Gerwen v Steve Lennon
Raymond van Barneveld v Rob Cross
Phil Taylor v Darren Webster
Daryl Gurney v James Wade