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

Fallon Sherrock beaten 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 Active Aldersley – dwell on Sky Sports

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

Despite 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 file on the occasion by seeing off Nathan Girvan 5-2.

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

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Fallon Sherrock’s three 180s weren’t ok to keep away from defeat towards 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 elevate the Eric Bristow Trophy final 12 months, averaged nearly 99 to topple Scottish debutant Girvan and have fun a seventeenth consecutive group-stage victory on the Grand Slam.

“I love this event – I owe a lot to the Grand Slam, and hopefully it keeps being kind to me,” mentioned Smith, who’s bidding to grow to be the fourth participant to retain the coveted title.

“I’m really happy to be back. It’s the first time I’ve had to defend a TV title so there were a few butterflies, but I’m happy with how I performed.

“My scoring was nice and my ending was there after I wanted it. I’m conscious of my file [in the group stage], however I’m solely targeted on attempting to prime the group.”

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

Buntz caused a huge upset, producing a stunning display to dispatch world No 2 Peter Wright on his televised bow.

Buntz, who sealed his Grand Slam qualification with victory in last month’s CDC Continental Cup, turned on the style in a colourful clash against European champion Wright to cap off a dream TV debut.

The unheralded American fired in a sensational tops-tops 137 finish and took out 116 to race into a three-leg lead, before wrapping up a landmark 5-1 victory with a 13-dart hold.

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

“To play against one of my idols, it’s like playing against Michael Jordan if you’re a basketball fan. I’m sure my phone is going 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.

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Brilliant 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.

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Luke Humphries says he’s feeling the very 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 down to triumph with finishes of 84, 74 and 76 within the latter phases.

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A have a look at Gary Anderson’s greatest moments from his comeback victory towards Dirk van Duijvenbode

Sunday’s double session will see Saturday’s winning gamers dealing with off and the dropping gamers additionally assembly one another, as Smith continues his title problem towards 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 chic 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 winning 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 prime two gamers from every group will progress to the knockout stage, with the last-16 motion starting on Wednesday and operating 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 favorite sports activities and extra with NOW