Defending champion Gerwyn Price remains on course to retain his World Grand Prix crown after sweeping aside Dave Chisnall in straight sets to advance to the semi-finals, and the Welshman had a defiant message for a jeering crowd at the Morningside Arena.
Continue reading “Price blasts ‘absolutely pathetic’ crowd after reaching World Grand Prix semis”
There will be a new champion crowned at the World Grand Prix on Monday night, after defending champion Michael van Gerwen succumbed to an inspired Simon Whitlock on a thrilling night of quarter-final action in Coventry.
Continue reading “Opportunity knocks at the World Grand Prix”
Michael van Gerwen continues the defence of his World Grand Prix title against an in-form Devon Petersen on Thursday and ahead of their last 16 clash, the Dutchman had playful words of warning for Wayne Mardle, who has been coaching the South African over recent months.
Continue reading “Van Gerwen jokes with Mardle ahead of Petersen clash”
Adrian Lewis and Stephen Bunting will not feature in this year’s World Grand Prix, after the pair returned positive tests for Covid-19 ahead of this year’s event on Tuesday.
Continue reading “Lewis and Bunting forced out of World Grand Prix after positive Covid-19 tests”
Michael van Gerwen clinched his fifth World Grand Prix title with a 5-2 victory over Dave Chisnall at the Citywest Hotel on Saturday evening and with the business end of the season approaching, Van Gerwen fired an ominous warning to his challengers in typically emphatic fashion.
Continue reading “MvG fires ominous warning in business end of season!”
James Wade has blasted the ‘nonsensical’ format at the World Grand Prix in an interview with Live Darts, despite securing his first victory at the Citywest Hotel since 2014 on Sunday evening.
Continue reading “Wade blasts ‘nonsensical’ format at World Grand Prix”
Daryl Gurney has strenuously denied any accusations of ‘mumbling’ during his World Grand Prix quarter-final clash against Gary Anderson at the Citywest Hotel on Thursday evening. Continue reading “Angry Anderson in flare-up with Gurney after Grand Prix exit!”
The 32-man field for the 2018 Unibet World Grand Prix has been confirmed, as Daryl Gurney prepares to defend his title at the Citywest Hotel later this month. Continue reading “2018 World Grand Prix Field Confirmed!”
Daryl Gurney has denied claims that he ‘barged’ Simon Whitlock during a fiercely contested World Grand Prix final, as ‘Super-Chin’ edged out the Australian in a gripping deciding-set to clinch his maiden PDC major title at the Citywest Hotel on Saturday evening. Continue reading “Gurney denies Whitlock ‘barge’”
Daryl Gurney clinched his maiden PDC major title with a thrilling deciding-set victory over former world finalist Simon Whitlock in a thrilling World Grand Prix final at the Citywest Hotel, Dublin, on Saturday evening. Continue reading “2017 World Grand Prix: Finals Day!”
Former world finalist Simon Whitlock is eyeing a Premier League return after reaching his first major final for over four years at the World Grand Prix last night.
‘The Wizard’ edged out the recent Champions League of Darts winner Mensur Suljovic in a Grand Prix classic at the Citywest Hotel on Friday evening, to reach his first major final since July 2013. Continue reading “Whitlock: ‘I belong in the Premier League’”
Simon Whitlock edged out Mensur Suljovic in a World Grand Prix classic to set up an enthralling final against home favourite Daryl Gurney, who finally ended the run of giant-killing John Henderson on a captivating night of darts at the Citywest Hotel on Friday night. Continue reading “World Grand Prix: Semi-Finals Report!”
Mensur Suljovic produced an imperious display to dump out tournament favourite Peter Wright, as John Henderson continued his World Grand Prix fairy-tale by dumping out Raymond van Barneveld on a thrilling night of action at the Citywest Hotel on Thursday evening. Continue reading “World Grand Prix: Quarter-Finals Report!”
Tournament favourite Peter Wright produced a classy comeback to defeat Mervyn King and set up a quarter-final showdown against recent Champions League of Darts winner Mensur Suljovic at the Citywest Hotel on Wednesday evening. Continue reading “World Grand Prix: Day Four Report!”
Five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld eased into the World Grand Prix quarter-finals with a straight sets victory over the veteran Steve Beaton, as former champion Robert Thornton dumped out Dave Chisnall on an entertaining night of action at the Citywest Hotel on Tuesday evening. Continue reading “World Grand Prix: Day Three Report!”
Peter Wright survived two match darts to edge past Stephen Bunting in a nail-biting first-round tussle in Dublin, as Steve West dumped out two-time Grand Prix winner James Wade on another dramatic evening of darts at the Citywest Hotel on Monday evening. Continue reading “World Grand Prix: Day Two Report!”
John Henderson caused one of the biggest shocks in World Grand Prix history by dumping out reigning champion and world number one Michael van Gerwen on a dramatic opening night at the Citywest Hotel, Dublin, on Sunday evening. Continue reading “World Grand Prix: Day One Report!”
Two-time world champion Gary Anderson has withdrawn from this year’s World Grand Prix in Dublin and will be replaced in the field by Mark Webster.
The world-number two, who was beaten in the final of last year’s event by Michael van Gerwen, will remain at his home in Somerset ahead of the impending birth of his second child with partner Rachel. Continue reading “Anderson withdraws from World Grand Prix!”
Michael van Gerwen will begin the defence of his World Grand Prix title against John Henderson, whilst two-time world champion Gary Anderson will take on debutant Richard North, after the draw for next month’s tournament was made this morning. Continue reading “2017 World Grand Prix Draw!”
Phil Taylor will skip next month’s World Grand Prix in Dublin, as he continues to scale down his commitments ahead of his impending retirement. Continue reading “Phil Taylor to miss World Grand Prix!”
World number one Michael van Gerwen has extended his lead at the top of the PDC Order of Merit after storming to his third World Grand Prix title with victory over world champion Gary Anderson at the Citywest Hotel, Dublin, on Saturday evening.
‘The Green Machine’ has now taken his tally on the Order of Merit to a staggering £1, 337,000, after scooping the £100,000 winner’s cheque in Ireland. He now leads world number two Gary Anderson by £462,250, although the world champion added £45,000 to his total, by virtue of reaching his maiden Grand Prix final.
Yet, one of the biggest movers on the Order of Merit was five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld, who climbed up three places to 11th following his fine run to the semi-finals, seeing off Mervyn King, Adrian Lewis and Benito van de Pas without dropping a single set.
Elsewhere, Dave Chisnall has reclaimed his spot in the world’s top eight after also reaching the last four at the Citywest. Chizzy, a finalist back in 2013, overcame Robbie Green, Brendan Dolan and Daryl Gurney to reach the semi-finals, before he was edged out in a thriller by Michael van Gerwen.
Chisnall has leapfrogged his St Helen’s counterpart Michael Smith on the Order of Merit, after ‘Bully-Boy’ suffered a first-round defeat at the hands of Alan Norris. Smith now sits just £2,500 above Jelle Klaasen in 10th, after the Dutchman was also beaten in round-one by Adrian Lewis. Continue reading “PDC Order of Merit Update!”
Michael van Gerwen produced one of the greatest double-in performances of all time as he stormed past world champion Gary Anderson to win his third World Grand Prix title in a fantastic final at the Citywest Hotel, Dublin, on Saturday evening.
The world number one averaged 100.29, landed seven maximums and converted 43% of his attempts at double, to record an emphatic 5-2 victory to scoop the £100,000 winner’s cheque. Van Gerwen’s average was the highest ever in a World Grand Prix final, surpassing Phil Taylor’s previous best of 100.17, set in 2002.
Anderson battled valiantly, averaging 92.73 and firing in eight maximums, but ‘The Flying Scotsman’ was ultimately punished for a lacklustre start, as he suffered defeat in his maiden Grand Prix final.
‘The Green Machine’ lived up to his name as he breezed to the first set without reply, taking just 43 darts to take the lead. He fired in a maximum with just his second visit to the board, before clinching the set with a classy 14-darter.
The second set followed a similar pattern of Dutch domination. Van Gerwen missed the bull for a 161 checkout for a fourth consecutive leg, as Anderson opened his account on D5. Nevertheless, the 27-year-old from Boxtel fired back with clinical 101 checkout on D16. Continue reading “Record-breaking MvG brushes Anderson aside to clinch Grand Prix hat-trick!”
The world’s top two players will collide in the final of the World Grand Prix, as Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson defeated Dave Chisnall and Raymond van Barneveld respectively in a thrilling night of semi-final action at the Citywest Hotel, Dublin, on Friday evening.
World number one Michael van Gerwen reeled off three successive sets to come from behind and reach the final. It was a stunning performance from the Boxtel ace, who averaged 99.37, landed six maximums and converted 50% of his attempts at double. Chisnall averaged 95.05 and fired in nine maximums, but it wasn’t enough.
The first set was played at an outrageously good standard. Chisnall averaged 112.11 but still lost the set. Van Gerwen broke Chizzy’s throw in the opening leg with a 110 checkout, before extending his lead with a 14-darter. Chisnall fired back with a sublime 10-darter, but MvG wrapped up the opener with a wonderful 106 finish, with an average of 114.18.
However, Chisnall showed commendable resolve to bounce back and level up proceedings in set two. The St Helen’s star broke MvG’s throw in the opening leg of the set with a 79 finish, but the world number one broke back instantly with a clinical 72 kill.
The pair were both guilty of missing doubles in leg three but Chisnall pinned D16 to secure the third consecutive break of throw, before Van Gerwen endured double trouble. ‘The Green Machine’ failed to pin a starting double with his first seven darts, and the 2013 finalist nailed D5 to draw level. Continue reading “MvG & Anderson to collide in World Grand Prix final!”
Michael van Gerwen overcame an in-form Simon Whitlock to keep his World Grand Prix hopes alive, as Gary Anderson, Raymond van Barneveld and Dave Chisnall won through to the semi-finals on a high-quality night of action at the Citywest Hotel, Dublin, on Thursday evening.
Van Gerwen produced a stunning display to defeat Simon Whitlock in the match of the night. The world number one averaged an incredible 103.09, hit four maximums and converted 48% of his attempts at double to defeat the dogged Australian.
MvG started the contest strongly, with all three legs going with throw. Whitlock then failed to pin a starting double with his first six darts and Van Gerwen capitalised, sealing the set on D5.
The second set was an extremely high-quality affair. Van Gerwen fired in his first maximum to kick off the set, but Whitlock held throw with a nerveless 64 kill. The world number one then registered six perfect darts, before eventually levelling proceedings by hitting D1.
Whitlock edged back ahead in the set with a clinical 61 checkout, but ‘Mighty Mike’ continued to pressure the Australian, forcing a set decider after dispatching a 92 finish with consummate ease. However, Whitlock held his nerve magnificently to restore parity at one apiece, pinning D6 to complete a 65 checkout. Continue reading “World Grand Prix- Quarter-Finals Report!”
Michael van Gerwen remains on course for a third World Grand Prix title after he whitewashed former BDO number one James Wilson, as Simon Whitlock, Dave Chisnall and Daryl Gurney all sealed their spots in the quarter-finals at the Citywest Hotel, Dublin on Wednesday evening.
However, the performance of the night was delivered by world number one Michael van Gerwen, who averaged 97.17, landed three maximums and converted 56% of his finishing doubles to dismantle Wilson, who performed better than the scoreline indicates.
Wilson kicked off the contest in sumptuous style with a roof-raising 156 finish. He missed the bullseye to double his lead moments later, but van Gerwen fired back with a sensational 96 checkout, culminating with D18 and D20. This galvanised the Dutchman, who went to seal the first set with relative ease.
‘The Green Machine’ fired in scores of 180 and 177 in the opening leg of set two, but he almost lost the leg, as ‘Jammie Dodger’ missed tops for a 160 checkout. However, MvG pinned the same target to hold throw, before winning his fifth straight leg with a fine 14-darter.
The third leg was an extremely high-quality affair. Both men kicked of the leg with flawless 160 starts, registering five perfect darts in the process. However, the advantage of throw proved decisive for Van Gerwen, who converted 64 for a stunning 12-darter to establish a commanding two-set cushion. Continue reading “World Grand Prix Day Four: Whitlock hits sixteen perfect darts to reach the last eight!”
Five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld produced the performance of the tournament thus far as he whitewashed Adrian Lewis in round-two of the World Grand Prix, as world champion Gary Anderson safely progressed to the last eight at the Citywest Hotel, Dublin, on Tuesday evening.
However, the story of the night was Raymond van Barneveld, who reached his first Grand Prix quarter-final since 2010 after dismantling two-time world champion Adrian Lewis in straight sets. Van Barneveld was superb, hitting D16 with unrelenting precision, averaging 97.21 and converting 53% of his attempts at double.
The opening set was a topsy-turvy affair which went to a fifth and deciding leg after the pair traded breaks. Lewis had the advantage of throw but he squandered five set darts at D18 and D9 respectively, and Van Barneveld pinned D4 with his last dart in hand to steal the set, which sparked a passionate roar from the legendary Dutchman.
Barney then whitewashed Lewis in the opening leg of set two after Lewis failed to pin a starting double within 12 darts. Jackpot was badly affected by his missed doubles in the opening set and the 49-year-old Den Haag ace was in uncompromising mood, extending his lead to 2-0, winning the set without reply.
Lewis fired in a maximum in the opening leg of set three but Barney was unperturbed, converting 72 on tops for a precious break of throw. The Stoke ace landed his fifth maximum in the following leg but then spurned three darts at D18,and Van Barneveld pinned D10 to win his sixth straight leg and move within a leg of victory. Continue reading “World Grand Prix Day Three: Brilliant Barney whitewashes Lewis!”
Eleven-time champion Phil Taylor was sensationally dumped out in the opening round of the World Grand Prix by debutant Steve West, as world number one Michael van Gerwen survived a minor scare at the Citywest Hotel, Dublin on Monday evening.
The evening’s proceedings were interrupted early on by a power-failure, however the story of the night was the power-failure suffered by Phil Taylor. The Stoke-on-Trent ace, an 11-time champion in Dublin, lost six of the last nine legs against an inspired Steve West, to suffer his fifth first-round exit in the tournament’s history.
West broke Taylor’s throw in the very first leg after the 56-year-old missed three darts at D12. However, ‘The Power’ responded emphatically, breaking straight back with a clinical 111 checkout. Taylor then secured an easy hold of throw after West took 16 darts to pin a starting double, and the 16-time world champion went on to clinch the set after nailing D6.
West looked like a beaten man after the opening set, but he rallied superbly and restored parity at one apiece after producing a trio of top-class finishes. He won the opening leg of the set with an 86 finish, and sandwiched in between seven perfect darts from Taylor, West took out two clinical 101 finishes to force a third and final set.
Taylor had the throw in the deciding set, but he relinquished the initiative after missing one dart at double and West pounced, breaking throw on D10. The underdog then moved to the cusp of a shock victory after holding his nerve to complete a 62 checkout, but Taylor preserved his hopes by hitting D16 to hold throw. Continue reading “World Grand Prix Day Two: Taylor suffers shock first-round exit!”
Reigning champion Robert Thornton and former winner James Wade were both dumped out on the opening night of the World Grand Prix, as Gary Anderson, Adrian Lewis and Raymond van Barneveld all progressed to round-two at the Citywest Hotel in Dublin on Sunday evening.
Thornton’s hopes of defending his title were quashed by former world champion Stephen Bunting, who held his nerve to prevail in an exciting affair. ‘The Bullet’ won the opening leg, but Thornton rallied and clinched the opening set with successive finishes of 125, 62 and 67.
However Bunting responded strongly, breaking Thornton early in set two with a clinical 105 kill. The St Helen’s star doubled his lead moments later, and whilst the Scot fired back with a 12-darter, Bunting levelled up proceedings at one set apiece with a 12-darter of his own.
‘The Bullet’ hit tops to take the lead early in set three, but Thornton replied by pinning D10. Bunting then moved to within a leg of victory, following up his fourth maximum by hitting D8. Thornton kicked off the fourth leg with five perfect darts, but missed a multitude of darts at double to force a decider, as Bunting secured the win via D4.
World champion Gary Anderson kicked off his campaign with an emphatic 2-0 victory over Jamie Caven. ‘The Flying Scotsman’ breezed to the first set without reply as ‘Jabba’ struggled for consistency. The second set was a much more competitive affair, but finishes of 112, 124 and 86 sealed victory for the world number two. Continue reading “World Grand Prix- Day One Report!”
Robert Thornton will begin the defence of his World Grand Prix title against former world champion Stephen Bunting on the tournament’s opening night, whilst world champion Gary Anderson and two-time Grand Prix winner James Wade will also headline Sunday’s line-up at the Citywest Hotel, Dublin.
Gary Anderson will begin his assault for a maiden Dublin title when he takes on seven-time ranking winner Jamie Caven, whilst Wade takes on nine-time major finalist Terry Jenkins, in a repeat of the 2007 final. The tournament’s opening match will be contested between two debutants, as Kyle Anderson meets Spanish star Cristo Reyes.
Ian White will take on Kim Huybrechts in a tasty encounter, before Gerwyn Price and Benito van de Pas both go in search of their first wins on the Citywest stage when they lock horns.
Elsewhere, third seed Adrian Lewis will take on Jelle Klaasen in the tie of the round, before the final tie of Sunday night sees 2012 finalist Mervyn King takes on five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld, twice a finalist at the Grand Prix.
World number one Michael van Gerwen will begin his bid for a third World Grand Prix title against the veteran Steve Beaton, whilst 11-time champion Phil Taylor hopes to continue to build upon his Champions League of Darts triumph when he clashes with Steve West. Continue reading “World Grand Prix Schedule Confirmed!”
World number one Michael van Gerwen will face the legendary Steve Beaton in the first-round of the World Grand-Prix, whilst reigning champion Robert Thornton will begin the defence of his title against Stephen Bunting at the Citywest Hotel, Dublin, next week.
The draw for the 2016 World Grand-Prix, which begins on Sunday October 2nd, was made live on the PDC’s official Facebook page, ahead of the final day of Champions League of Darts action.
Van Gerwen will take on 1996 Lakeside world champion Steve Beaton in round-one. Beaton has enjoyed a mini-resurgence this year, reaching the quarter-finals of the recent World Matchplay. However, ‘The Green Machine’ will be hoping to clinch a third World Grand-Prix title.
Robert Thornton, who defeated Van Gerwen in a thrilling final last year, takes on another former Lakeside champion Stephen Bunting. ‘The Thorn’ has endured a slump in form since winning his second major title last year, but he’ll be hoping that a return to Irish soil will have a galvanising effect on his fortunes.
Phil Taylor will go in search of an unprecedented twelfth World Grand-Prix crown against debutant Steve West. West secured his spot for this event by virtue of reaching the final of Players Championship 16 in Barnsley last week, which saw Vincent van der Voort miss out on qualification. Continue reading “2016 World Grand Prix Draw!”
Robert Thornton secured his maiden World Grand Prix title with a thrilling 5-4 victory over Michael van Gerwen, in undoubtedly one of the best ever finals in PDC history.
Michael van Gerwen hit an astonishing EIGHTEEN 180’s, but missed doubles cost him dearly, allowing the Scot to claim his second PDC major, after his UK Open triumph in 2012.
Reigning World Grand Prix Champion Michael van Gerwen and former UK Open winner Robert Thornton will contest the 2015 World Grand Prix final at the Citywest in Dublin on Saturday night.
After a number of high-profile casualties in the early stages of the tournament, van Gerwen and Thornton were the only seeded players to reach the quarter-final stage and eventually, their quality shone through.
Continue reading “van Gerwen and Thornton to meet in Grand Prix Final!”
Michael van Gerwen continued his quest for a third World Grand Prix title in Dublin, whilst Robert Thornton, Mensur Suljovic and Mark Webster all battled through to the semi-finals at the Citywest.
In the opening match of the evening, Gary Anderson’s conqueror Ian White faced Robert Thornton. With just one place separating the pair in the PDC World Rankings, this had all the prospects of being a very evenly-matched contest. This is exactly what transpired.
Continue reading “MvG Marches On as Suljovic Stuns van der Voort!”
World Champion Gary Anderson was the latest big-name casualty to depart the World Grand Prix in Dublin, as he was dumped out 3-1 by an inspired Ian White in the last 16 stage.
Anderson hit 12 140’s, 11 180’s and averaged 98, the highest of the tournament so far; yet this simply wasn’t enough against a clinically proficient White.
The 45-year-old from Stoke-on-Trent is now the only remaining Englishman in the tournament; after the likes of Phil Taylor, James Wade and Adrian Lewis all suffered early exits. In tomorrow’s quarter-final, he will take on 2-time major winner Robert Thornton, who whitewashed an off-colour Justin Pipe 3-0 in the opening match of the evening.
Continue reading “World Champion Anderson dumped out in Dublin by an Inspired White!”
Phil Taylor and James Wade both suffered sensational first-round exits at the World Grand Prix in a night of shocks at the Citywest in Dublin.
11-time Grand Prix Champion Taylor was beaten at the first-round stage for the fourth time in his career, as Vincent van der Voort produced one of his finest television performances to record a straight-sets victory over ‘The Power’.
In addition, James Wade was sensationally dumped out by Mensur Suljovic. The former Grand Prix Champion was highly fancied to challenge for the title given his affinity with the tournament and his recent excellent form, but he was outplayed by ‘The Gentle’.
However, the headlines will inevitably go to van der Voort, who secured his first ranking victory over Taylor since 2009. Over such a short format, the top players are always vulnerable in the early rounds and the Dutchman was tremendous throughout.
Continue reading “Taylor and Wade suffer Shock First-Round Exits in Dublin!”
One of the most anticipated tournaments on the PDC calendar, the World Grand Prix, gets under way at the Citywest in Dublin this Sunday. This is the only tournament on the PDC calendar where you must start and finish on a double; along with the short format, this adds to the sheer unpredictability of the event. Defending Champion Michael van Gerwen, Phil Taylor, Gary Anderson and James Wade are the stand-out favourites, but in such a strong field, upsets are inevitable. These are my 6 darkhorses to claim the crown…
Adrian Lewis will take on five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld in the pick of the first round matches at the World Grand Prix, when the double-in tournament begins next Sunday in Dublin.
Two-time World Champion Lewis will be participating in his 11th Grand Prix, but like van Barneveld, he is still searching for his maiden title in Ireland. Both Lewis and van Barneveld have been runners up previously; Lewis in 2010; van Barneveld in 2008 and 2009, however both men have been handed an extremely challenging route if they are to taste glory in Ireland’s capital city.
Continue reading “Lewis and Barney Clash in Round One of the World Grand Prix!”
Devon Petersen hit a brilliant 9-darter as he secured qualification for next month’s European Tour event at Friday’s night UK qualifier, held in Barnsley.
The South-African completed the perfect leg in beating former BDO World No 1 James Wilson 6-2, to qualify for next month’s European Darts Grand Prix in Sindelfingen.
Continue reading “Devon Petersen hits a 9-Darter in Barnsley!”