Michael van Gerwen ends Gary Anderson’s flawless group record at the Grand Slam as Rock and Nijman also advance

Michael van Gerwen, Josh Rock and Wessel Nijman clinched qualification for the knockout stages of the Grand Slam of Darts as the group phase reached a dramatic climax on Tuesday.

Day Four of the £650,000 event saw Groups E-H conclude in Wolverhampton, with reigning champion Luke Littler setting up a blockbuster tie against Nijman in the Last 16.

Littler, Danny Noppert and Niko Springer were already assured of their qualification prior to Tuesday’s play, and they were joined in the knockout stages by Van Gerwen, Rock, Nijman, Connor Scutt and Lukas Wenig.

Van Gerwen overcame his great rival Gary Anderson to clinch top spot in Group G, averaging 108.5 to set up an all-Dutch clash with Noppert in Round Two.

The three-time champion was imperious from start to finish against Anderson, condemning the Scottish icon to his first group stage exit in 18 Grand Slam appearances.

“I’m very glad to go through and top the table, but there’s still a lot of work to do in this tournament,” insisted Van Gerwen.

“You always need to try and find the right balance and mentality, and I felt comfortable tonight.

“I’m looking forward to playing Danny. He’s a fantastic player and he’s playing really well at the moment, but I know I can step up when it matters.”

Springer relinquished top spot in Group G following a 5-3 defeat to Women’s World Champion Beau Greaves – who reeled off five straight legs to end her campaign on a high.

Rock and Nijman came through a star-studded Group F, with newly crowned European Champion Gian van Veen crashing out alongside Women’s World Matchplay champion Lisa Ashton.

Van Veen was in pole position following back-to-back wins over the weekend, but Nijman’s whitewash win over Ashton set up a winner-takes-all clash against Rock.

World Cup of Darts winner Rock produced a clinical display to dump out Van Veen, pinning five of his ten attempts at doubles to celebrate a 5-2 success and claim top spot in Group F.

“Obviously Gian beat me here last year, so it was good to put that right,” reflected Rock, who will take on Scutt in the Last 16 on Thursday.

“I put myself under so much pressure because I knew I had to win, and I think Gian did exactly the same thing, but thankfully I got over the line.”

Scutt broke new ground at the Aldersley Leisure Village with a hard-fought 5-3 win over Karel Sedlacek in their decisive fixture.

Elsewhere in Group E, Littler maintained his impeccable record in Wolverhampton with a 5-1 rout of Daryl Gurney – who exits without a win to his name.

“I knew I needed a few legs to finish top, so I’m really happy to make it three wins from three,” said Littler, who has won all ten of his matches on the Grand Slam stage.

“Daryl was there and thereabouts tonight, but now it’s down to the business end.

“I always enjoy the longer format, and hopefully I can produce my best darts on Thursday.”

It was also a memorable night for German debutant Wenig – who continued his dream campaign to advance through Group H in top spot.

The 31-year-old produced a sensational 167 checkout on his way to a 5-1 thrashing of Cam Crabtree in their straight shoot-out, punishing just one from 13 on the doubles from his nervy opponent.

Wenig’s reward will be a meeting against his fellow countryman Springer in the Last 16.

Wenig claimed top spot in Group H at the expense of Danny Noppert – who succumbed to Jonny Clayton in a high quality encounter.

Clayton defied a 107 average from Noppert to triumph in a last-leg thriller, overturning a 4-2 deficit to avoid a third consecutive defeat in the group phase, but it was not enough to avoid finishing bottom of the pile.

Grand Slam of Darts 2025 Day Four Results

Tuesday November 11

Groups E-H Final Matches

Jonny Clayton 5-4 Danny Noppert (H)
Niko Springer 3-5 Beau Greaves (G)
Luke Littler 5-1 Daryl Gurney (E)
Lukas Wenig 5-1 Cam Crabtree (H)
Connor Scutt 5-3 Karel Sedlacek (E)
Michael van Gerwen 5-2 Gary Anderson (G)
Wessel Nijman 5-0 Lisa Ashton (F)
Gian van Veen 2-5 Josh Rock (F)