Boyle Sports World Grand Prix Day One Preview

It may have a new home again this year, due to the ongoing issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, but it’s here. For the second year in a row, it’s not the Citywest Hotel in Dublin, but this year we do have the fans. It’s the Boyle Sports World Grand Prix, live from Leicester.

It’s Sunday, it’s night one and there are some tasty looking ties in store. So where do we start?

The defending champion

There’s only one place to start really, and that’s with the World Number One and defending champion, Gerwyn Price.

The Iceman, who recently pulled out of the Nordic Darts Masters ahead of a quarter final matchup with Fallon Sherrock, starts his campaign with an enticing matchup with Michael Smith.

Price returned in style from the elbow injury last weekend, winning the Gibraltar Darts Trophy with a stunning 8-0 victory over Mensur Suljovic in the final.

As long as the injury is holding up, he should take massive confidence into the defence of his 2020 title this week.

Elsewhere on Day One

We have many more intriguing and high quality matchups in store. The pick of the bunch has to be 2010 World Grand Prix champion James Wade taking on Damon Heta.

Following his stunning run of form that ended with him getting a last minute call up to the Premier League, things have gone a little quiet for the Englishman. There can be no denying his talent, though he will surely have his hands full with the ever-improving Aussie.

Also tonight, we have last years’ beaten finalist Dirk van Duijvenbode taking on Luke Humphries in a game that could steal the show. If both players are on their game, the pace and quality will make it an absolute dream watch.

Starting the show we have Martijn Kleermaker taking on Mervyn King, before 2017 Champion Daryl Gurney gets his tournament underway with a first round tussle with Stephen Bunting. Then in the final match of the night, Dimitri van den Bergh opens up against Ryan Searle.

It’s sure to be a cracking night of action and you can follow all of it with us right here at Online Darts.

The full schedule

2021 BoyleSports World Grand Prix
Schedule of Play
Sunday October 3 (1800 BST)

8x First Round

Martijn Kleermaker v Mervyn King

Dirk van Duijvenbode v Luke Humphries

Stephen Bunting v Daryl Gurney

Joe Cullen v Ross Smith

Dave Chisnall v Mensur Suljovic

James Wade v Damon Heta

Gerwyn Price v Michael Smith

Dimitri Van den Bergh v Ryan Searle