Gerwyn Price and Raymond van Barneveld battle back to reach Grand Slam of Darts Quarter-Finals
Gerwyn Price and Raymond van Barneveld will renew their rivalry in the Quarter-Finals of the Grand Slam of Darts after battling back from behind to prevail in dramatic Last 16 ties in Wolverhampton on Wednesday.
A resurgent Van Barneveld denied Simon Whitlock in a thrilling battle of the veterans to secure a first Grand Slam Quarter-Final appearance since 2016.
The 55-year-old, who came through the Tour Card holder qualifier, rolled back the years once again as he recovered from 5-2 down to defy a 101 average from Whitlock and prevail 10-8.
Whitlock started superbly but was punished for crucial missed doubles in legs eight and ten as Barney battled back to parity.
The five-time World Champion continued his charge with a 12-darter to lead 6-5, but Whitlock responded magnificently, converting a brace of 112 finishes to draw level at eight apiece.
Van Barneveld then regained the lead in an edgy penultimate leg which saw both players squander opportunities, before converting a classy 81 finish on the bull to spark jubilant celebrations.
“How good was Simon tonight? In the practice room I saw him and he was never on the practice board! All credit to him, he was fantastic, but I’m so happy with this win,” said Van Barneveld, who averaged 97, hit six 180s and pinned 55 per cent of his attempts at double.
“I played really well. I am sure everyone watching at home would have loved it to go to a last leg, but fortunately for me that bullseye went in at the end.”
Reigning champion Price recovered from 8-6 down with four consecutive legs to overcome Danny Noppert in a gripping tussle.
Price survived two match darts in his Group A shoot-out against Dave Chisnall on Monday night, and he was forced to display further brinkmanship to fend off a spirited Noppert at the Aldersley Leisure Village.
Three-time champion Price claimed six of the last seven legs following an inspired display of doubling, which saw him convert ten of his 13 attempts to triumph with a 100 average.
Noppert reeled off three consecutive legs during the first mini-session to establish a slender 3-2 lead, despite a spectacular 150 checkout from the Welshman in the opening leg.
Price was unable to make any inroads on the Dutchman’s throw until leg 12, when he followed up a timely 13-dart break with a crucial 74 checkout to reduce the deficit to 7-6.
However, Price produced a sensational four-leg spell to complete the comeback, restoring parity with a majestic 164 finish in leg 16, before sealing the deal with legs of 13 and 15 darts.
“Danny was the better player earlier on. I was fortunate to get through that game, but the 164 was massive,” said Price.
Price will now take on 2012 champion Van Barneveld in a repeat of their Group A epic earlier in the event, which saw the top seed succumb in a last-leg decider despite averaging 106.
“Raymond has been playing at the top level for the last 30 years, he knows how to win, so I need to improve on Friday night or Raymond is going to give me another lesson,” he added.
Elsewhere, Michael Smith and Joe Cullen will also battle it out for a place in Sunday’s Semi-Finals after dumping out Rob Cross and Dirk van Duijvenbode respectively.
Smith survived a late onslaught from Cross to complete a hard-fought 10-8 victory and progress to a fourth consecutive Grand Slam Quarter-Final.
The St Helens star punished a sluggish start from Cross to establish an early 4-1 cushion, although the former World Champion soon reduced the arrears to 6-5 with legs of 15, 14, 12 and 13 darts.
Smith restored his three-leg buffer to move two legs away from a place in the last eight, but once again Cross fought back, following up 68 and 108 checkouts with a 14-darter to square the tie at 8-8.
However, fourth seed Smith was indebted to his clinical combination finishing in the latter stages, converting 82 and 78 finishes in successive legs to confirm his progression.
“Rob is a World Champion for a reason so I knew it was going to be tough, and I couldn’t put him away,” said Smith.
“I’ve made the quarter-finals or better in the last four years, and that gave me belief. I’m competing against the best players in the world, so it should be fun!”
Cullen, meanwhile, stormed through to his maiden Grand Slam Quarter-Final with a resounding 10-4 success against Dirk van Duijvenbode, as he continued his bid for a second televised title of 2022.
The Masters champion conjured up a stunning ten-dart leg to lead 4-1, and extended his lead to 8-2 with a sequence of four straight legs, featuring 104 and 129 finishes.
Van Duijvenbode doubled his tally with back-to-back legs in the closing stages, but his late rally came in vain as Cullen completed the job via double seven.
“I felt like I needed to keep playing well because I felt like Dirk was going to kick into gear at some stage,” reflected Cullen, who averaged 95 and landed two ton-plus checkouts.
“I’m looking forward to playing Michael again on Friday. It’s almost a new tournament now, and I think I’ve got as good a chance as anyone. I’m here to win.”
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Grand Slam of Darts 2022 Day Five Results
Wednesday November 16
Second Round
Raymond van Barneveld 10-8 Simon Whitlock
Michael Smith 10-8 Rob Cross
Danny Noppert 8-10 Gerwyn Price
Dirk van Duijvenbode 4-10 Joe Cullen
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