Grand Slam of Darts: Fallon Sherrock beaten by Michael van Gerwen as Michael Smith makes winning start to title defence | Darts News

Fallon Sherrock overwhelmed by Michael van Gerwen in Wolverhampton whereas there have been wins for Michael Smith and American debutant Stowe Buntz; watch the seventeenth staging of the Grand Slam of Darts from November 11-19 on the WV Lively Aldersley – reside on Sky Sports activities

Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant

One of the best of the motion from the night session on Day One of many Grand Slam of Darts

Fallon Sherrock placed on a resilient show however was finally subdued by Michael van Gerwen as Michael Smith made a profitable begin to the defence of his Grand Slam of Darts title.

Regardless of three maximums from Sherrock, three-time former winner Van Gerwen ran away with a 5-1 success, whereas reigning champion Smith continued his unbelievable group-stage document on the occasion by seeing off Nathan Girvan 5-2.

American debutant Stowe Buntz prompted the shock of the evening, averaging 102.28 to defeat his darting idol Peter Wright 5-1.

Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant

Fallon Sherrock’s three 180s weren’t adequate to keep away from defeat in opposition to Michael van Gerwen

Van Gerwen started his bid for a fourth Grand Slam crown by beating ‘Queen of the Palace’ Sherrock, averaging 101.30 to sink the 2021 quarter-finalist, who registered three 180s in defeat.

Smith, who defeated Nathan Aspinall to raise the Eric Bristow Trophy final 12 months, averaged nearly 99 to topple Scottish debutant Girvan and have a good time a seventeenth consecutive group-stage victory on the Grand Slam.

“I really like this occasion – I owe loads to the Grand Slam, and hopefully it retains being sort to me,” stated Smith, who’s bidding to change into the fourth participant to retain the coveted title.

“I am actually completely satisfied to be again. It is the primary time I’ve needed to defend a TV title so there have been a couple of butterflies, however I am proud of how I carried out.

“My scoring was nice and my ending was there after I wanted it. I am conscious of my document [in the group stage], however I am solely centered on making an attempt to prime the group.”

Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant

Stowe Buntz shared how a lot his win over his idol Peter Wright meant to him

Buntz prompted an enormous upset, producing a surprising show to dispatch world No 2 Peter Wright on his televised bow.

Buntz, who sealed his Grand Slam qualification with victory in final month’s CDC Continental Cup, turned on the fashion in a vibrant conflict in opposition to European champion Wright to cap off a dream TV debut.

The unheralded American fired in a sensational tops-tops 137 end and took out 116 to race right into a three-leg lead, earlier than wrapping up a landmark 5-1 victory with a 13-dart maintain.

“I do not know what to say,” admitted a shell-shocked Buntz, who averaged 102.28 to defeat ‘Snakebite’. “It’s phenomenal – Peter Wright’s a two-time world champion. He’s a giant inspiration for me, therefore the [colourful] apparel.

“To play in opposition to certainly one of my idols, it is like taking part in in opposition to Michael Jordan in case you’re a basketball fan. I am positive my cellphone goes to be blowing up after this!”

Buntz will play a resurgent Stephen Bunting, who denied Dave Chisnall in one other nine-leg affair, pinning 5 of his seven double makes an attempt to defy a 99 common from the 2014 runner-up.

Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant

Good Buntz pinned two ton-plus checkouts to beat Wright

Luke Humphries and Gary Anderson will collide in a blockbuster tussle on Sunday night, after overcoming Steve Lennon and Dirk van Duijvenbode of their respective Group C tussles.

Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant

Luke Humphries says he’s feeling one of the best he has felt in a very long time after comfortably beating Steve Lennon

World Grand Prix champion Humphries posted the primary ton-plus common of the event in his 5-2 demolition of Lennon, with a 147 checkout in leg 5 the spotlight of his victory.

Anderson, in the meantime, overcame a struggling Van Duijvenbode in a contest dominated by missed doubles, rallying from 4-2 right down to triumph with finishes of 84, 74 and 76 within the latter levels.

Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant

A have a look at Gary Anderson’s finest moments from his comeback victory in opposition to Dirk van Duijvenbode

Sunday’s double session will see Saturday’s profitable gamers dealing with off and the dropping gamers additionally assembly one another, as Smith continues his title problem in opposition to Poland’s No 1 Krzysztof Ratajski.

Ratajski edged out three-time runner-up James Wade in Saturday night’s opener, starting the match with 112 and 120 outshots earlier than firing in a elegant 11-darter to prevail in a high-quality final leg.

Van Gerwen will face Rob Cross in his subsequent Group G conflict, after the 2018 world champion recovered from 3-1 and 4-2 deficits to defeat Dutch debutant Martijn Kleermaker with a 96 common.

What occurs subsequent on the Grand Slam?

The group stage continues on Sunday, with Saturday’s profitable gamers dealing with off and the dropping gamers additionally assembly one another, earlier than the ultimate round-robin video games happen throughout Monday and Tuesday.

The highest two gamers from every group will progress to the knockout stage, with the last-16 motion starting on Wednesday and working by way of to the semi-finals and ultimate on Sunday.

Watch the seventeenth staging of the Grand Slam of Darts from November 11-19 on the Aldersley Leisure Village. Stream your favourite sports and more with NOW