Grand Slam of Darts 2021 Day Semi-Finals preview and order of play | Final four face off
The Semi-Finals take centre stage at the 2021 Grand Slam of Darts on Saturday afternoon as the final four face off in Wolverhampton.
Four of the world’s top ten players are left standing in the quest for the Eric Bristow Trophy, with a double winner, two former Grand Slam finalists and a multiple major finalist comprising the line-up.
Gerwyn Price has reigned supreme on both of his previous appearances at the Aldersley Leisure Village and is looking 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 then gained revenge over his 2020 Welsh World Cup winning team-mate Jonny Clayton with a thrilling 16-12 success in the Quarter-Finals.
Price, the reigning World Champion, is fine-tuning preparations for his title defence at Ally Pally next month and now faces three-time Grand Slam finalist James Wade, with both unbeaten at this stage of the tournament in five combined appearances.
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, before edging out European Champion Rob Cross 16-14 in the Quarter-Finals.
Wade defeated Price en route to UK Open glory in March and has not lost to ‘The Ice Man’ in a televised event since the 2017 Dubai Masters.
The second Semi-Final sees world number two Peter Wright take on world number ten Michael Smith.
Runner-up in 2017 and 2019, Wright had been far below his brilliant best en route to the Quarter-Finals, averaging just 91.3 for the tournament.
However, the colourful Scot returned to form in an epic battle with Fallon Sherrock on Saturday, averaging 100.3 in a 16-13 success with fourteen maximums along the way.
Wright is through to his fourth Grand Slam Semi-Final since 2016 and has won both of his previous TV finals against Smith – at the 2018 Melbourne Masters and 2020 Masters.
Smith’s only previous Grand Slam Semi-Final run came in 2015 – when he was thrashed 16-6 by Michael van Gerwen at the Wolves Civic.
Smith turned the tables by pulling off a high quality 16-13 win over his Dutch nemesis in the Quarter-Finals, averaging 98.7 and landing fourteen 180s.
The 31-year-old, who finished top of Group H with maximum points before seeing off Joe Cullen in the Last 16, is vying to reach a fifth major final and remain in pursuit of that elusive maiden crown.
The action gets under way from 1pm GMT, with Semi-Finals and the final to be contested over the best of 31 legs.
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Grand Slam of Darts 2021 Day Nine Schedule of Play
Sunday November 21
Afternoon Session (1pm-4pm)
Semi-Finals
Gerwyn Price v James Wade
Michael Smith v Peter Wright
7pm
Final
