Van Gerwen, Rock and Nijman Advance as Grand Slam Group Stage Reaches Thrilling Conclusion

Michael van Gerwen, Josh Rock and Wessel Nijman were among the final players to book their spots in the knockout rounds of the Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts on Tuesday, as the group stage came to a dramatic close at WV Active Aldersley in Wolverhampton.

The fourth day of the £650,000 tournament saw the last groups — E through H — wrap up in style, with reigning champion Luke Littler topping his section to set up a much-anticipated clash against Nijman in Round Two on Thursday.

Littler, Danny Noppert and Niko Springer had already guaranteed their passage before play began, while Van Gerwen, Rock, Nijman, Connor Scutt and Lukas Wenig joined them to complete the line-up for the last 16.

Van Gerwen’s victory over long-time rival Gary Anderson proved one of the standout moments of the night. The Dutchman averaged an impressive 108.45 to seal a 5–2 win and finish top of Group G, setting up an all-Dutch meeting with Noppert in the next round.

The three-time Grand Slam winner looked assured from the opening leg, outscoring Anderson consistently to hand the Scot his first ever group-stage elimination in 18 appearances at this event.

“I’m very glad to go through and top the table, but there’s still a lot of work to do in this tournament,” Van Gerwen said afterwards. “You always need to try and find the right balance and mentality, and I felt comfortable tonight. I’m looking forward to playing Danny. He’s a fantastic player and he’s playing really well at the moment, but I know I can step up when it matters.”

Springer, who had already qualified, surrendered top spot in Group G after losing 5–3 to Women’s Series champion Beau Greaves. The young Englishwoman delighted the crowd by reeling off five consecutive legs to close her campaign on a high note.

Group F produced high drama as Rock and Nijman emerged from a star-studded section that saw newly crowned European Champion Gian van Veen and Women’s World Matchplay champion Lisa Ashton both eliminated.

Van Veen had been in pole position after two wins over the weekend, but Nijman’s 5–0 whitewash of Ashton transformed the group standings and forced a decisive showdown with Rock. The Northern Irishman, who lifted the World Cup title earlier this year, rose to the occasion, converting five of his ten darts at double to clinch a 5–2 victory.

“Obviously Gian beat me here last year, so it was good to put that right,” said Rock, who secured top spot in the group and will now face Connor Scutt in Thursday’s Round Two session. “I put myself under so much pressure because I knew I had to win, and I think Gian did exactly the same thing, but thankfully I got over the line.”

Scutt also broke new ground in Wolverhampton, defeating Czech number one Karel Sedlacek 5–3 to advance to the last 16 of a televised ranking event for only the second time in his career.

Elsewhere in Group E, defending champion Luke Littler continued his perfect Grand Slam record by easing past Daryl Gurney 5–1. The World Champion has now won all ten matches he has played on the Wolverhampton stage across his two appearances.

“I knew I needed a few legs to finish top, so I’m really happy to make it three wins from three,” said Littler. “Daryl was there and thereabouts tonight, but now it’s down to the business end. I always enjoy the longer format, and hopefully I can produce my best darts on Thursday.”

In Group H, Lukas Wenig’s dream debut continued as he stormed into the knockout phase with a commanding 5–1 victory over Cam Crabtree. The 31-year-old German thrilled the crowd with a 167 checkout en route to the win, topping his group ahead of compatriot Springer.

“It’s unbelievable,” Wenig said afterwards. “To play in front of this crowd and to reach the last 16 in my first Grand Slam is special. I’m just going to enjoy every moment now.”

Noppert, meanwhile, lost out on first place in Group H despite averaging 107 in a narrow 5–4 defeat to Jonny Clayton, who battled back from 4–2 down to avoid a winless campaign. The result meant Wenig finished top of the table and will now face Springer in an all-German Round Two clash.

Following four days of thrilling group action, the Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts now moves into the knockout phase on Wednesday. World number one Luke Humphries meets World Youth Championship runner-up Jurjen van der Velde in the opening match, while Gerwyn Price begins his pursuit of a fourth title against German number one Martin Schindler.

Elsewhere, 2022 champion Michael Smith faces world number eight Chris Dobey in a heavyweight showdown, and the afternoon’s curtain-raiser will feature an all-English tie between Luke Woodhouse and Ricky Evans.

With every remaining player now eyeing the £120,000 winner’s cheque and the Eric Bristow Trophy, the Grand Slam’s knockout rounds promise more fireworks under the Wolverhampton lights.

Van Gerwen, Rock and Nijman Advance as Grand Slam Group Stage Reaches Thrilling Conclusion

2025 Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts

Tuesday November 11

Groups E-H Final Matches

Jonny Clayton 5-4 Danny Noppert (H)

Beau Greaves 5-3 Niko Springer (G)

Luke Littler 5-1 Daryl Gurney (E)

Lukas Wenig 5-1 Cam Crabtree (H)

Connor Scutt 5-3 Karel Sedlacek (E)

Michael van Gerwen 5-2 Gary Anderson (G)

Wessel Nijman 5-0 Lisa Ashton (F)

Josh Rock 5-2 Gian van Veen (F)

Wednesday November 12 (1900 GMT)

4x Second Round

Luke Woodhouse v Ricky Evans

Gerwyn Price v Martin Schindler

Luke Humphries v Jurjen van der Velde

Chris Dobey v Michael Smith

Thursday November 13 (1900 GMT)

4x Second Round

Lukas Wenig v Niko Springer

Josh Rock v Connor Scutt

Luke Littler v Wessel Nijman

Michael van Gerwen v Danny Noppert

Best of 19 legs