Andrew Gilding dispatches Gary Anderson to reach World Grand Prix Quarter-Finals

Andrew Gilding dumped Gary Anderson out of the World Grand Prix in Round Two on Wednesday, as Michael Smith, Gerwyn Price and Martin Schindler also progressed.

UK Open champion Gilding twice came from a set behind to knock out 2016 finalist Anderson and move through to a maiden World Grand Prix Quarter-Final.

Anderson won two of the opening three sets to lead 2-1, but Gilding was unfazed, winning six of the last seven legs to celebrate a landmark TV triumph over the Scot.

“In all my games lately, I’ve just been capitalising on my opponents’ mistakes,” admitted Gilding, who also fought back from a set down to dump out eighth seed Rob Cross in Round One.

“I did the same in the UK Open to be honest. I didn’t play that well through the tournament, I was just there when I needed to be.

“I never thought I would win a major tournament, and now I’m dreaming of winning another, but Michael is playing well. He is so natural and it will be hard to beat him.”

Top seed Smith underlined his credentials with a dominant display against 2011 runner-up Brendan Dolan, running out an emphatic 3-0 winner to break new ground at the Grand Prix.

The world number one had never reached the Quarter-Finals in ten previous appearances, but produced a clinical display on the outer ring to set up a showdown with Gilding.

Smith converted 96, 91 and 64 checkouts to open his account, and the St Helens star continued his fine finishing to extend his lead against the struggling Northern Irishman.

Dolan was unable to muster the form that saw him dispose of Dirk van Duijvenbode in round one, and Smith continued the procession, converting back-to-back 105 finishes to cap off a classy performance.

“I’ve waited so long to get past the second round at the World Grand Prix, so I’m over the moon,” revealed Smith, who has dropped just three legs in reaching the Quarter-Finals.

“I’m a little bit disappointed with the way I played. I had three legs after breaking Brendan where I didn’t start with a double, and that sticks in your head.

“It was a matter of trying to overcome that [frustration], but those two 105 checkouts in the last two legs were pretty good, and now I just want to see what happens from here.”

Price also moved through to the Last Eight with a straight-sets success over Krzysztof Ratajski in a contest which saw all three sets go the distance.

The Welshman landed 120 and 116 finishes to clinch a high-quality opening set, and he withstood a spirited rally from Poland’s premier player to double his tally in set two.

Despite landing a 130 outshot midway through set three, Ratajski then squandered three set darts to halve the deficit, and he was suitably punished by Price, who pinned tops to seal his progress.

“I started off really strongly in the first set,” reflected 2020 champion Price, who landed five 180s and pinned 45 per cent of his darts at a finishing double.

“I found the pace of the game really difficult, but I’m just happy to get through and I’m into the quarter-finals, so I will put that one behind me.

“I’m defending a final spot from two years ago, so hopefully I can go one step better. I’ve already won this title before, so I know what it takes, but I need to play a lot better than that.”

Martin Schindler became the first German to progress to the Quarter-Finals of the World Grand Prix, converting three ton-plus finishes to deny Stephen Bunting in a five-set thriller.

Bunting’s rip-roaring start to the contest saw him follow up a 138 checkout with an opening set average of 104, and he continued his rampant run to draw first blood in set two with an 11-darter.

Schindler turned the tide in supreme style, restoring parity with a clinical 112 finish, before following up a majestic 160 checkout with a two-dart 87 combination to hit the front.

Bunting responded by nailing a 70 skin-saver to force a deciding set, although a spirited Schindler held his nerve, producing a 103 checkout to seal a spot in his second televised quarter-final.

“This win means a lot to me,” said Schindler. “I’m very happy to be through.

“These are the tournaments where you have to perform and you have to show what you’re capable of, and I’m really enjoying it.”

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Boylesports World Grand Prix 2023 Day Three Results

Wednesday October 4

Second Round

Andrew Gilding 3-2 Gary Anderson
Stephen Bunting 2-3 Martin Schindler
Gerwyn Price 3-0 Krzysztof Ratajski
Michael Smith 3-0 Brendan Dolan

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