Record-breaking Ross Smith seals Grand Slam knock-out qualification as Peter Wright crashes out
Ross Smith produced a scintillating scoring display to defeat Michael van Gerwen and seal his place in the knock-out phase of the 2022 Grand Slam of Darts on Tuesday.
Groups E-H concluded on a dramatic Day Four at the Aldersley Leisure Village, with Smith producing the stand-out performance of the evening to seal his spot in the Last 16 in style.
Van Gerwen clinched top spot in Group G despite succumbing to an inspired Smith – who held his nerve to seal a 5-4 victory with an average of 108 and a group stage record of nine 180s.
Smith was assured of qualification going into the match as a result of Luke Woodhouse’s defeat to Nathan Rafferty, but that did not prevent him from replicating his recent European Championship winning form.
Smith stormed into a 3-0 lead with legs of 13, 12 and 14 darts, although Van Gerwen – aided by a spectacular 145 checkout – replied with four straight legs to seize control.
Van Gerwen almost wrapped up victory with a spectacular 146 checkout in leg eight, but after forcing a decider, Smith fired in a record-breaking ninth 180 and landed double eight to round off a classic.
“I wanted to show everyone what I can do against the best in the world,” said Smith.
“Hopefully I can kick on now. I’m loving my darts and I’m so happy with life in general, so I just want to keep going.”
Woodhouse saw his qualification hopes dashed in a thrilling nine-leg affair against Nathan Rafferty, despite averaging 101, crashing in five 180s and converting the first 170 checkout of the tournament.
Meanwhile, Nathan Aspinall moved through to the knock-out phase alongside Alan Soutar in Group E after a 5-2 win over Peter Wright – who missed out on a place in the Last 16 by just a single leg.
Wright required three legs to book his place in the knockout stages despite back-to-back wins, but the Scot was punished for squandering two darts at tops for a 3-1 lead, as Aspinall reeled off four legs without reply to confirm his progression.
Aspinall followed up legs of 14 and 13 darts with a 106 checkout to lead 4-2, and despite spurning five match darts in an edgy conclusion, he regained his poise to wrap up proceedings via double eight.
“I’m so happy to get through and I can’t believe I’ve topped the group,” admitted Aspinall, who will meet Jermaine Wattimena in the Last 16.
“Peter is going through a tough time at the moment. I don’t think his head was in the game and I give my best wishes to Jo, but I had to go up there and do my job.”
Aspinall’s success saw him top Group E on leg difference, and the Stockport star advances alongside debutant Soutar – who defeated Fallon Sherrock 5-2 earlier in the night.
Sherrock opened up an early 2-1 lead and posted back-to-back 180s in leg six to threaten a nine-darter, but a brilliant 132 finish from the Scot in the very same leg catapulted him to victory.
Soutar knew that a Wright victory or a three-leg win for Aspinall would see him through, and following a nervous wait, the firefighter was able to celebrate another landmark moment in his career.
“Watching that match backstage was the worst feeling I’ve ever had in darts – it was horrible!” admitted Soutar, who will now play Jonny Clayton in Thursday’s Second Round.
“The Grand Slam was a free-roll for me and I’m now in the world’s top 40 after less than two years on the tour, so I’m absolutely delighted.”
In Group H, emerging Northern Irish star Josh Rock joined Luke Humphries in the Last 16 after running out a 5-3 winner in a captivating showdown between the pair.
Scott Williams posted a stunning 107 average to come through a high-quality clash against Ryan Searle in the other Group G tie, registering six 180s and two 11-darters in the process.
That result meant that Rock needed three legs to confirm his progression, yet he was forced to a survive a scare midway through the contest after Humphries squandered two darts at double for a 4-1 lead.
Rock claimed his all-important third leg with a brilliant 121 finish in leg six, and back-to-back 15-darters capped off another imperious display from the 21-year-old.
“I believe I can win this tournament,” insisted Rock, who will play three-time Grand Slam champion Van Gerwen in a mouth-watering tie on Thursday.
“It will be a fantastic match. I’ve never played Michael before – he’s the second best player of all time in my opinion, but I’m not scared of playing him.”
Earlier in the night, Wattimena joined Clayton in advancing through Group F, punishing a profligate display from North American Champion Leonard Gates to complete an emphatic 5-1 victory.
Wattimena sealed the deal with a 108 checkout, and that result meant that Damon Heta needed to whitewash Clayton to keep his Grand Slam dream alive.
The Australian was unable to produce the heroic escape act, although he bowed out on a high by averaging 93 and landing three 180s to inflict Clayton’s first defeat of the campaign.
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Grand Slam of Darts 2022 Day Four Results
Tuesday November 15
Groups E-H Third Matches
Jermaine Wattimena 5-1 Leonard Gates (F)
Jonny Clayton 2-5 Damon Heta (F)
Luke Woodhouse 4-5 Nathan Rafferty (G)
Michael van Gerwen 4-5 Ross Smith (G)
Alan Soutar 5-2 Fallon Sherrock (E)
Peter Wright 2-5 Nathan Aspinall (E)
Ryan Searle 3-5 Scott Williams (H)
Luke Humphries 3-5 Josh Rock (H)
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