Aspinall and Cross crash out as Anderson shines on night one of the World Grand Prix

Aspinall, last year’s runner-up, and eighth seed Cross were both defeated in thrilling last-leg deciders by Stephen Bunting and Andrew Gilding, respectively, as the double-start event kicked off with eight first-round matches at the Morningside Arena.

Bunting, a two-time World Grand Prix semi-finalist, delivered a superb deciding leg against Aspinall to keep his record in the event intact.

 

“Neither of us were at our best tonight but when you get through like that you don’t really look at the performance,” Bunting reflected.

“It was a very nervous game all the way through. I started really well but in the second set I lost a bit of composure.

“I was praying that I hit my starting double first dart in the decider; thankfully I did and now I’m looking forward to the next round.

“I think I’m playing the darts of my life at the moment so I’m full of confidence.”

Bunting will face Martin Schindler in the second round, following the German number two’s first World Grand Prix victory over two-time runner-up Raymond van Barneveld.

Gilding overcame a sluggish start to win her first World Grand Prix in nine years and send Cross out in the first round for the seventh time in seven appearances.

Gilding’s victory earns him a round two meeting with Gary Anderson, who shone in a 2-1 victory over Jose de Sousa.

 

“It was a hard one, that’s the best I’ve seen Jose play for a while,” said Anderson.

“I’ve got a lot of time for Jose, we spent a lot of time practicing together the last time we were both in the Premier League and I know how good he can be.

“I don’t put any pressure on myself anymore, I’m just enjoying playing darts right now and I’ll see where it takes me.”

Gerwyn Price won in straight sets over world number nine Danny Noppert, and the 2020 champion will now face Krzysztof Ratajski, who came from behind to overcome two-time winner James Wade.

Michael Smith was the star of the night, averaging 96.14 in a 2-0 victory against Callan Rydz, and the top seed will now face 2011 runner-up Brendan Dolan, who defeated Dirk van Duijvenbode.

The opening round continues on Tuesday night, when Michael van Gerwen takes on debutant Josh Rock in his attempt for a seventh World Grand Prix title.

Former winners Jonny Clayton and Daryl Gurney, as well as world number three Peter Wright, two-time runner-up Dave Chisnall, and fifth seed Luke Humphries, are all in play.

2023 BoyleSports World Grand Prix

Monday October 2

First Round x8

Brendan Dolan 2-1 Dirk van Duijvenbode (0-3, 3-1, 3-0)

Gary Anderson 2-1 Jose de Sousa (2-3, 3-0, 3-2)

Krzysztof Ratajski 2-1 James Wade (1-3, 3-0, 3-2)

Martin Schindler 2-1 Raymond van Barneveld (3-2, 2-3, 3-1)

Stephen Bunting 2-1 Nathan Aspinall (3-1, 2-3, 3-2)

Gerwyn Price 2-0 Danny Noppert (3-2, 3-0)

Michael Smith 2-0 Callan Rydz (3-0, 3-1)

Andrew Gilding 2-1 Rob Cross (0-3, 3-1, 3-2)

 

Tuesday October 3 (1800 BST)

First Round x8

Joe Cullen v Mike De Decker

Dave Chisnall v Luke Woodhouse

Damon Heta v Ryan Searle

Dimitri Van den Bergh v Chris Dobey

Peter Wright v Gabriel Clemens

Michael van Gerwen v Josh Rock

Jonny Clayton v Ross Smith

Luke Humphries v Daryl Gurney