Grand Slam of Darts 2021 Day Five preview and order of play | Knock-out phase commences

The 2021 Grand Slam of Darts enters the knock-out phase in Wolverhampton on Wednesday with four Second Round ties on the billing.

An enthralling opening four days at the Aldersley Leisuire Village produced record averages, upsets and historic moments in the Group Stage of the £550,000 event.

The field has now been halved, with the top two players from each group progressing to the knock-out stages – where the stakes and format increase.

Group winners take on group runners-up as they bid to book a place in the Quarter-Finals and remain on course to lift the Eric Bristow Trophy.

Gerwyn Price has reigned supreme on both of his previous appearances at the Aldersley Leisure Village and is look to maintain his prolific record at this venue.

The world number one finished top of Group A on legs difference despite losing his final fixture and now comes up against emerging star Bradley Brooks.

Price, the reigning World Champion, is fine-tuning preparations for his title defence at Ally Pally next month and will be keen to flex his muscles over the extended format and end the landmark run of the 21-year-old debut.

World Youth Champion Brooks has looked at home on the big stage this week, defeating Mervyn King and Rusty-Jake Rodriguez to secure second spot in Group B.

The Blackburn ace is appearing in the Last 16 of a televised event for the first time and is now eyeing what would be by far the biggest result of his career to date.

Bradley Brooks celebrates (Photo by Lawrence Lustig/PDC)

Another clash of youth versus experience sees 21-year-old newcomer Nathan Rafferty take on Premier League and World Grand Prix champion Jonny Clayton.

Rafferty is enjoying a dream debut in his first major tournament outside of the UK Open, having qualified behind Brooks in the Development Tour Order of Merit.

The Northern Irish starlet was narrowly beaten in a deciding leg by Price in his Group A opener, but bounced back with wins over Martin Schindler and  Krzysztof Ratajski – surviving six match darts from the Pole in their decisive clash.

Rafferty, who famously defeated Peter Wright at the 2018 UK Open, is now eyeing another monumental scalp against one of the sport’s hottest properties – who is chasing down a fifth televised title of the year.

Clayton, who has also claimed The Masters and World Series Finals titles in 2021, topped Group B with maximum points courtesy of wins over Rusty-Jake Rodriguez, Bradley Brooks and Mervyn King, and boasts a tournament average of 101.4.

The opening match of the night sees reigning European Champion Rob Cross take on former World Championship quarter-finalist Ryan Joyce.

Cross progressed through the Group Stages for the fifth consecutive year but had to settle for second spot after defeat to James Wade in his final fixture.

The world number 11 is now aiming to avoid exiting the competition at the Last 16 stage for the fourth year in a row, having enjoyed a remarkable return to form in recent months.

Joyce, the world number 42, came through Group D in top spot with four points, defeating Stephen Bunting and Rowby-John Rodriguez before slipping to a 5-3 defeat to Chris Dobey.

Winner of a Players Championship event in 2020, victory here would see the Tynside thrower into his first major Quarter-Final since Ally Pally in 2018.

Three-time Grand Slam finalist James Wade aims to continue his impressive record in this competition by overcoming a resurgent Rowby-John Rodriguez.

Wade is one of only two remaining ever-presents in the event since 2007 and has now made it to the knock-out phase for the 14th time in 15 appearances.

Last year’s beaten finalist clinched top spot in Group C courtesy of a 5-2 win over Cross with a stunning 111.7 average – his highest ever in a televised match.

Rodriguez, meanwhile, last appeared in this event six years ago and is featuring in the Last 16 for the first time after finishing second in Group D.

The 27-year-old partnered Mensur Suljovic to the World Cup final for Austria earlier this year in what proved to be a pivotal weekend in his career.

He averaged 104.8 in a 5-1 rout of Bunting in their straight shoot-out and is now eyeing a first win over Wade at the seventh attempt.

The action gets under way from 7pm GMT, with Second Round matches to be contested over the best of 19 legs.

WATCH THE GRAND SLAM OF DARTS STREAMED LIVE HERE (18+)

Grand Slam of Darts 2021 Day Five Schedule of Play

Wednesday November 17

Second Round

7.15pm Ryan Joyce v Rob Cross
8.15pm James Wade v Rowby-John Rodriguez
9.15pm Gerwyn Price v Bradley Brooks
10.15pm Jonny Clayton v Nathan Rafferty