Both brilliant play and unparalleled excitement were on display as the final matches of the Round of 16 in the Grand Slam of Darts 2024 concluded.
Jermaine Wattimena – Dimitri Van den Bergh 10-9
This was a true rollercoaster of a match. Van den Bergh took an early 4-0 lead, but by the 11th leg, the match had turned around, with Wattimena leading 6-5. This turnaround was largely due to missed doubles by Van den Bergh, while Wattimena capitalized on his opportunities.
Van den Bergh fought back into the match and had the darts to win in the deciding leg. However, nerves were evident in the final leg, as Van den Bergh missed eight match darts before Wattimena clinched victory with his sixth match dart.
Wattimena did not reach the same level as he did during the group stage. Whether this was due to Van den Bergh slowing the pace of play, which Wattimena prefers faster, or another factor, remains to be seen over the weekend.
Gian van Veen – Ryan Joyce 10-2
Gian van Veen delivered an outstanding performance, completely dismantling Ryan Joyce with a decisive 10-2 victory. Remarkably, Joyce only had three darts at doubles throughout the entire match!
Van Veen was solid in scoring high points and showed exceptional finishing on doubles. During the match, he threw seven 180s, and his average score was 106.45 – an impressive feat in a Grand Slam of Darts Round of 16 match.
Luke Littler – Mike De Decker 10-9
The Wolverhampton crowd witnessed one of the best matches on the darts scene in 2024. Mike De Decker put immense pressure on the young prodigy Luke Littler from the start and appeared to be heading toward victory. However, Littler demonstrated that he belongs among the elite, maintaining his composure and clinching the match in the deciding leg.
Both players threw ten 180s, but the doubles were decisive in this match. Littler hit 38% of his doubles, while De Decker managed only 26%.
Gary Anderson – Stephen Bunting 10-6
After a close start, Stephen Bunting struggled with his doubles, allowing Gary Anderson to move from a 2-2 tie to an 8-2 lead. Despite Bunting’s efforts to stage a comeback, Anderson comfortably secured victory in the last match of the Round of 16.
Quarterfinals will be played in a best-of-31 format.
Friday Quarterfinals
- Cameron Menzies – Mickey Mansell
- Martin Lukeman – Rob Cross
Saturday Quarterfinals
- Jermaine Wattimena – Luke Littler
- Gian van Veen – Gary Anderson
