In a surprising turn at the Grand Slam of Darts, Michael van Gerwen suffered a shocking defeat, losing 10-6 to Danny Noppert in the last 16. Meanwhile, Luke Littler showcased his dominance, securing a 10-4 victory over Wessel Nijman to advance to the quarter-finals in Wolverhampton.
The match between Van Gerwen and Noppert began with an electrifying pace, featuring four checkouts of over 100 points in the first five legs. Noppert secured a 101 checkout, while Van Gerwen delivered a stunning 160 checkout, thrilling the crowd. The intensity continued, but as the match progressed, Noppert began to take control.
After a brief lull, the players exchanged darts evenly, with Van Gerwen missing a crucial opportunity to break Noppert’s throw in the 10th leg. This error allowed Noppert to establish a 6-4 lead. Noppert capitalized on the momentum, winning three consecutive legs to bring him within one leg of victory. Eventually, he clinched the match with a successful checkout on double tops, sealing a remarkable performance against the former champion.
Littler, on the other hand, displayed a remarkable level of skill and precision against Nijman. Achieving a stunning average of 105, Littler dominated the opening session, winning all five legs while maintaining a near 111 average. Nijman managed to respond after the break, closing the gap to 5-2. However, a missed opportunity to break Littler’s throw proved costly, as Littler surged ahead to a commanding 7-3 lead after showcasing his exceptional doubling ability.
The match concluded with Littler maintaining an impressive 83 percent success rate on doubles, finishing with a checkout of 96. His victory keeps his title defense alive and strengthens his aim to reach the world number one ranking.
“I just want to win as quickly as possible,” Littler stated in a post-match interview with Sky Sports. “To get the win over Wessel tonight was special. If someone plays their best darts, they might catch me, but tonight felt very good. I’m focused on everything, the title, and the world number one.”
Looking ahead, the quarter-finals of the Grand Slam will commence on Friday, November 14, featuring a clash between Ricky Evans and Gerwyn Price, along with a matchup of former champions Luke Humphries and Michael Smith. The action promises to be thrilling as the tournament progresses.
Fans can catch all the excitement live starting at 19:00 (UTC) on Sky Sports and Sky Sports Main Event. The Grand Slam of Darts continues to deliver high-stakes drama, and the competition is heating up as players vie for the coveted title.
