Cross and Heta deny Sherrock and Greaves at the Grand Slam as Bunting dumps out Wright

Damon Heta produced a nerveless display to edge out Beau Greaves in their Grand Slam of Darts shootout on Tuesday, as Rob Cross denied Fallon Sherrock.

Greaves was bidding to become the first female player to finish top of the group at the Grand Slam and came within touching distance of creating history in Wolverhampton.

The Women’s World Matchplay champion produced another terrific display in her straight Group H shootout against Heta, but saw the Australian land a clutch of nerveless finishes en route to victory.

Greaves showed no sign of early nerves, opening her account with a 101 finish, before wiring a dart at the bull for a spectacular 170 checkout in leg three.

The 19-year-old returned to complete a 14-dart hold before extending her cushion with a 99 finish, but Heta hit back superbly, landing sensational checkouts of 164 and 130 in successive legs to draw level at three apiece.

Greaves responded by taking leg seven to lead 4-3, but squandered a match dart at double 16 in the penultimate leg, and Heta capitalised to complete the turnaround with a 105 finish in the decider.

“Fair play to Beau! I hope she doesn’t get a Tour Card because we’re going to be in trouble,” joked Heta, who now faces three-time champion Michael van Gerwen in the Last 16.

“Those big finishes were extremely crucial. Every other ton-plus checkout had to go. If I didn’t hit it, I was gone.

“Beau was insane tonight. We all know what she can do and I’m shaking like crazy after that, but to get over that line is massive for me.”

Elsewhere, 2021 quarter-finalist Sherrock was denied a place in the knockout stage for the second time in three years, after succumbing 5-2 to Cross in their decisive Group G showdown.

Sherrock made the perfect start with a 15-dart break in the opening leg, only for Cross to win five of the next six legs to move through to a tantalising Last 16 tie against World Matchplay champion Nathan Aspinall.

“Fallon is a fantastic player,” insisted 2018 World Champion Cross, who has advanced to the knockout stage in all seven of his Grand Slam appearances.

“I have been steady in the last few games. I threw the game against Michael away in my opinion, but tonight the doubles went in and that was the difference.

“I feel great at the moment. I have still got so much more to offer, but I’m sure that will come later on [in the tournament].”

Earlier in the night, Stephen Bunting converted a trio of ton-plus checkouts to defeat Peter Wright in their Group E shootout, which condemned the world number two to his third group stage exit in four years.

Bunting recovered from an edgy opening leg with an inspired four-leg spell, following up 103, 101 and 107 finishes with a 13-darter to move to the cusp of victory at 4-1.

Wright responded with a nerveless 116 finish and a 14-darter to reduce the deficit to 4-3, but Bunting hit back with a third maximum, before pinning double 16 to triumph.

“When you’re playing on stage against a legend like Peter it’s always difficult,” admitted Bunting, who averaged 99.4 to advance to the last 16 for the fourth time in five appearances.

“Everyone is questioning Peter’s form at the minute, but he’s one of the best players in the world, and every time I play him it’s always a huge battle.

“I held it together well and I’m so happy to be through to the next round. I’ve put a lot of hard work in behind the scenes, so this is a special moment.”

Bunting will take on world number seven Danny Noppert for a place in the Quarter-Finals after the Dutchman edged out Brendan Dolan in a last-leg tie to clinch top spot in Group F with maximum points.

Noppert required four legs against Dolan to seal his place in the knockout stage, and after establishing a 4-2 cushion, he defied a late rally from the Northern Irishman to prevail with a 124 outshot on the bull.

UK Open champion Andrew Gilding also confirmed his qualification as the Group F runner-up, courtesy of an impressive 5-1 victory against PDC Asian Champion Haruki Muramatsu.

Muramatsu drew first blood with a 101 checkout, before Gilding reeled off five straight legs without reply – including a 136 finish in the penultimate leg – to prevail with a 99 average.

Gilding’s next assignment pits him against American newcomer Stowe Buntz, who secured top spot in Group E despite his deciding-leg defeat to 2014 runner-up Dave Chisnall, who rounded off his campaign on a high.

Van Gerwen recovered from 4-2 down to defeat his eliminated compatriot Martijn Kleermaker in a scrappy Group G encounter, maintaining his 100 per cent record in this year’s event in the process.

Meanwhile, Germany’s Ricardo Pietreczko punished a below-par display from Aspinall to win through their nine-leg affair, although Heta’s win over Greaves ensured Aspinall retained top spot in Group H.

WATCH THE GRAND SLAM OF DARTS STREAMED LIVE HERE

18+ | Geo Restrictions may apply | Gamble Aware

Grand Slam of Darts 2023 Day Four Results

Tuesday November 14

Group Stage

Dave Chisnall 5-4 Stowe Buntz (E)
Nathan Aspinall 4-5 Ricardo Pietreczko (H)
Michael van Gerwen 5-4 Martijn Kleermaker (G)
Andrew Gilding 5-1 Haruki Muramatsu (F)
Danny Noppert 5-4 Brendan Dolan (F)
Peter Wright 3-5 Stephen Bunting (E)
Rob Cross 5-2 Fallon Sherrock (G)
Damon Heta 5-4 Beau Greaves (H)