Grand Slam of Darts 2021 Day Seven preview and order of play | Quarter-Finals commence
The 2021 Grand Slam of Darts enters the Quarter-Final stage in Wolverhampton on Friday with four multiple major champions locking horns.
The £550,000 major has reached its business end at the Aldersley Leisure Village, with the top four seeds still in the running for the Eric Bristow Trophy, as well as a further quartet of the sport’s hottest properties.
Day Seven plays host to the two Quarter-Final ties from the top half of the draw as the stakes and format increase.
The pick of the night’s ties features the latest installment of the fascinating all-Welsh rivalry between Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton.
Wales’ top two darting exports have dominated the sport’s majors in 2021 so far and will face off in a televised event for the third time in just over a month.
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 held off a tricky test from World Youth Champion Bradley Brooks in the Last 16 to edge through 10-8.
Price, the reigning World Champion, is fine-tuning preparations for his title defence at Ally Pally next month and will be keen to exact his revenge on Clayton – who has won their two most recent televised encounters.
Clayton, who is chasing down a fifth televised title of the year, defeated Price in last month’s World Grand Prix final, as well as the Quarter-Finals of the World Series Finals – which he also went on to win.
Clayton, who has also claimed The Masters and Premier League titles in 2021, topped Group B with maximum points courtesy of wins over Rusty-Jake Rodriguez, Bradley Brooks and Mervyn King, before thrashing 21-year-old debutant Nathan Rafferty 10-2 in the Last 16.
The opening match of the night sees UK Open champion James Wade take on European Champion Rob Cross.
The decorated duo go head-to-head for the second time this week, having collided in Group C, with Wade registering a sensational 111.7 average – his highest ever in a televised match – on his way to a 5-2 win.
Wade is one of only two remaining ever-presents in the Grand Slam since 2007 and has made it to the knock-out phase 14 times in 15 appearances.
Runner-up in 2010, 2016 and 2020, Wade thrashed Rowby-John Rodriguez 10-2 with a 98 average in the Last 16, despite playing through the pain barrier with a foot injury.
Cross progressed through the Group Stages for the fifth consecutive year but had to settle for second spot as a result of that defeat to Wade.
The world number 11 has enjoyed a superb return to form in recent months, claiming his fourth major ranking title at the European Championship last month to avoid tumbling down the rankings.
The 2018 World Champion dispatched Ryan Joyce 10-4 with a 103 average in the Last 16 and is now vying to reach the Semi-Finals of this event for the first time.
The action gets under way from 7pm GMT, with Quarter-Final matches to be contested over the best of 31 legs.
WATCH THE GRAND SLAM OF DARTS STREAMED LIVE HERE (18+)
Grand Slam of Darts 2021 Day Seven Schedule of Play
Friday November 19
Quarter-Finals
7.15pm James Wade v Rob Cross
8.45pm Gerwyn Price v Jonny Clayton
