Heta dumps out van Gerwen as Buntz’s fairytale continues on a drama-filled night at the Grand Slam.

Damon Heta secured that there will be a new name on the Eric Bristow Trophy in 2023 after defeating Michael van Gerwen in the Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts on Thursday.

On Wednesday, three-time champion Gerwyn Price was knocked out by a resurgent Gary Anderson, and Van Gerwen became the latest big name to exit on a thrilling night of last 16 action in Wolverhampton.

Van Gerwen, who won three Grand Slams between 2015 and 2017, led 4-2 at one point, but a nerveless Heta rallied from a sluggish start to inflict the Dutchman’s quickest elimination in a decade.

The Australian number one flipped the tournament on its head with consecutive 76, 112 and 92 finishes to take the lead, and he extended his winning streak to five legs in a row to establish a 7-4 advantage.

Van Gerwen showed glimpses of his magnificent best in the latter stages with some exquisite cover shooting, but Heta kept his composure to finish a 10-7 victory, completed with a stunning 80 combination on tops.

“I’m absolutely stoked with the win,” declared Heta, who has now broken into the world’s top ten for the first time in his career.

“I had so many trebleless visits, but my checkout percentage was great, and that is what wins you games!

“Obviously Michael didn’t turn up tonight, but things just happened for me in that second session and I was riding the wave.”

Heta’s reward for upsetting Van Gerwen is a quarter-final match against Rob Cross, who averaged 103.97 in a Grand Slam classic victory over World Matchplay champion Nathan Aspinall.

Aspinall, who finished second in Wolverhampton last year, averaged 103, hit six 180s, and converted 62% of his double tries, but it wasn’t enough to stop a ruthless Cross.

The 2018 World Champion raced out to a 4-1 lead at the first break, topping off a superb first session with a 116 checkout, and the high-quality continued as Aspinall cut the gap to 4-6.

The Stockport star refused to let up, producing stunning 12-, 10-, and 13-darter legs to close the gap to 8-9, but he was unable to force a decider as Cross held on.

 

“Huge credit to Nathan. He was so resilient, but I was the better player tonight and I got it done,” claimed Cross, who landed seven 180s and pinned 50% of his attempts at double.

“I feel great. I have had my ups and downs like every professional, but now I’m ready to compete and perform, and I want it more than ever.

“I want to win everything. If I get myself right mentally, I believe I can do great things, but I will take one game at a time, because Damon is a great player.”

Earlier in the evening, world number seven Danny Noppert was defeated by Stephen Bunting in a match dominated by missed doubles to advance to the Grand Slam quarter-finals for the first time since 2014.

Bunting threw three 180s in three legs to take an early 4-1 lead, but Noppert responded with a spectacular 136 checkout in leg six, after Bunting had began the game with seven immaculate darts.

Despite that magical moment, Noppert missed 23 darts at double in a terrible performance on the outer ring, as Bunting followed up a 13-darter with a stunning 121 on the bull to secure a 10-4 triumph.

 

“Danny really struggled and I think I got caught up in his game to be honest,” reflected the former Lakeside Champion, who will renew his rivarly with Stowe Buntz in the last eight.

“I’m delighted with the result, but not with the performance. In the practice room I was hitting everything, and I felt really confident tonight, but it just didn’t happen.

“Stowe is a fantastic player. When I played him the first time I didn’t really know what to expect, but now I know how good he can be, and I can promise you that I won’t play like this again.”

 

.Buntz extended his fairy-tale run by punishing UK Open winner Andrew Gilding’s sloppy play to become the first American to reach a Grand Slam quarter-final.

The rookie won the first five legs of the competition and maintained that lead throughout, defying seven maximums from Gilding, who suffered the price for squandering 21 of his 26 darts at double.

“I had no expectations this week. I just wanted to give it my all and savour every moment,” reflected Buntz, who won last month’s CDC Continental Cup to seal his Grand Slam qualification.

“Andrew gave me opportunities the whole match. I can only play the opponent in front of me, and if they give me opportunities, then it’s up to me to capitalise.”

 

Friday’s action at WV Active Aldersley will see the opening two quarter-final ties take place, as World Grand Prix champion Luke Humphries plays two-time Grand Slam runner-up Gary Anderson.

Meanwhile, the evening’s opener pits three-time finalist James Wade against 2022 World Youth Champion Josh Rock, who is appearing in his first premier televised quarter-final.

2023 Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts

Thursday November 16

Second Round x4

Stowe Buntz 10-5 Andrew Gilding

Stephen Bunting 10-4 Danny Noppert

Damon Heta 10-7 Michael van Gerwen

Rob Cross 10-8 Nathan Aspinall

 

Friday November 17 (1900-2300 GMT)

Quarter-Finals x2

James Wade v Josh Rock

Luke Humphries v Gary Anderson

 

Saturday November 18 (1900-2300 GMT)

Quarter-Finals x2

Stowe Buntz v Stephen Bunting

Damon Heta v Rob Cross

Best of 31 legs