Grand Slam of Darts: Michael van Gerwen wins epic battle vs nine-dart Josh Rock as Jonny Clayton is shocked by Alan Soutar | Darts News

Michael van Gerwen won the epic battle against Josh Rock; Luke Humphries fought Ross Smith; Alan Soutar surprised Jonny Clayton, Nathan Aspinall went past Jermaine Wattimena; watch every match live on Sky Sports every day until Finals Day on Sunday, November 20

Michael van Gerwen showed his class in one of the greatest Grand Slam of Darts matches ever played to beat Josh Rock and secure his place in the quarterfinals in Wolverhampton.

The round of 16 got off to an electrifying start as the up-and-coming Rock hit a spectacular nine-game sweep in the second leg, sending the crowd into a frenzy and setting himself up to watch.

In true Van Gerwen fashion he was undaunted and continued to go past 120 as Rock took a quick lead before both players hit their perfect shots to level the match at 5-5.

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Van Gerwen was wrapped up at 10-10 when he came out on top 10-8 in the top game against the Rock.

The 21-year-old Rock missed just two shots in the opening 13 legs but Van Gerwen held on before crucial time in the 14th leg when he broke a putt and went on to go 15 to go 9-7 before sealing the match. 10-8 win in the absolute best.

After securing his place in the quarter-finals, Van Gerwen was full of praise for his opponent and thinks Rock is well on his way to becoming a future champion.

“Playing at a high level makes me very happy,” said the Dutchman.

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Van Gerwen believes Rock will become a champion one day after beating him in the top flight

“I love to fight, I love to have a good game and what this guy is doing right now, Josh Rock, we’ll hear more about him soon.

“But I still had to beat him and it wasn’t easy, I had to dig deep today. That’s the best song I’ve played in a long time and I had to. When you play someone like that you have to, he’s an amazing talent.

“People think I’m a robot, but I’m not a robot, I’m human.

“I told him to keep his focus and he will be the winner on this stage, simple as that.”

Jonny Clayton was defeated 10-8 by Alan Soutar, the Scotsman started well and broke Clayton twice to take a 3-2 lead as his accuracy on the trebles put him firmly in front.

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Watch Alan Soutar take this impressive 114 against Jonny Clayton

Clayton fought back and broke the throw to make it 6-4, an impressive finish of 136 giving him confidence, but Soutar wasn’t going anywhere and a ton-plus finish including two throws against him.

A late surge saw Clayton bring the tie back to 9-8 but Soutar held his nerve and produced his favorite D18 to take the win and into his quarter-final.

Luke Humphries won 10-8 against Ross Smith in a close encounter to set up a final clash with Van Gerwen.

The opening few legs were filled with problems but a break in the fifth leg gave Humphries the advantage and a 3-2 lead at the break.

While Humphries only got the breaks, Smith struggled with breaks and more but his struggles at the doubles cost him.

With a match throw, Humphries reached D8 and completed a new European Championship at the Grand Slam.

Nathan Aspinall edged past Jermaine Wattimena in a packed race to secure his place in the last eight, winning four of the first five legs to take a quick 4-1 lead, three maximums in the first three legs to put his threat on hold. an opponent.

Wattimena combined to break the throw and bring the tie to 8-5 as Aspinall battled back to D16, but Aspinall’s form was too high and she closed out the match with a 10-6 win.

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Nathan Aspinall has reflected on his win over Jermaine Wattimena and revealed how allowing people to return to the game hurt his family at the Grand Slam of Darts.

“I started the game well and felt like the old Nathan,” said Aspinall. “I was shaken in the middle but then I finished the game well.”

The quarter-finals begin on Friday night with Michael Smith taking on Joe Cullen and Raymond van Barneveld again facing Gerwyn Price.

Watch the Grand Slam of Darts at Aldersley Leisure Village in Wolverhampton until the final on November 20 – every episode is on Sky Sports and don’t forget the World Championship is also coming to Sky Sports from December 15 to January 3. .