Michael Smith seals Grand Slam knockout spot as Humphries and Price also progress

Former Grand Slam champions Luke Humphries, Gerwyn Price and Michael Smith were among five players to secure their spots in the knockout phase in Wolverhampton on Monday.

Chris Dobey, Ricky Evans and Luke Woodhouse had already secured their places in the Last 16 and were joined by a clutch of big names following the final set of fixtures in Groups A-D.

Humphries followed up Sunday’s nine-dart heroics by defeating Nathan Aspinall 5-3 with a 102.6 average to secure top spot in Group A.

The world number one made a blistering start to proceedings, producing early legs of ten and 12 darts before fending off a resilient test from the 2022 runner-up.

“I knew I had to start off really well,” said Humphries. “You know what you need to do. I needed one leg to go through, I knew that – but it didn’t affect me, I felt comfortable.

“It’s been a tough group, but I’m really happy to win all three matches.

“We’re in the business end now and the longer format suits me. I love playing the long format here.”

Elsewhere in Group A, Smith defeated American debutant Alex Spellman 5-2 to qualify for the knockout stages for the first time since winning the title here in 2022.

“I’m over the moon,” admitted Smith. “I’m through to the Last 16 and I can finally relax now.

“I did my job getting the two points but I would have liked it to be 5-0 or 5-1.

“Now I’m in the last 16, I’m four games away from winning two Grand Slams.

“I could win this tournament, and I didn’t have that belief a couple of months ago.”

Meanwhile, three-time champion Price powered to a 5-1 rout of Stefan Bellmont, securing his place in the knockout stages and topping Group D in the process.

“I had a slow start losing the first game but to come through and top the group, I’m happy with that,” said Price.

“I just wanted to qualify through the group stage and get through to the last 16.”

The Welshman will face Martin Schindler in Round Two after the German number one made it out of the group stage for the first time in his career courtesy of a 5-2 win over the methodical Alexis Toylo in their straight shootout.

Luke Woodhouse subjected Stephen Bunting to a third consecutive 5-4 defeat to top Group C, with Bunting missing a match dart once again.

Ricky Evans had already secured qualification after winning his opening two games, but succumbed to James Wade – who bowed out with a 5-2 win.

Debutant Jurjen van Der Velde progressed to the Last 16 by punishing a dismal display of finishing from Damon Heta to prevail 5-3, while Chris Dobey secured top spot in Group B after thrashing a struggling Martin Lukeman 5-1 to make it maximum points.

Grand Slam of Darts 2025 Day Three Results

Monday November 10

Groups A-D Final Matches

James Wade 5-2 Ricky Evans (D)
Chris Dobey 5-1 Martin Lukeman (B)
Stephen Bunting 4-5 Luke Woodhouse (C)
Martin Schindler 5-2 Alexis Toylo (C)
Damon Heta 3-5 Jurjen van der Velde (B)
Gerwyn Price 5-1 Stefan Bellmont (D)
Michael Smith 5-2 Alex Spellman (A)
Luke Humphries 5-3 Nathan Aspinall (A)