Michael van Gerwen into European Championship quarter-final
Monday 30 October 2017 15:46, UK
Michael van Gerwen will meet Simon Whitlock in Sunday's European Championship quarter-final while second seed Peter Wright survived a Saturday night scare.
Both players will reap the benefit of an extra day's rest having come through their second-round matches on Friday night along with Kyle Anderson and Mensur Suljovic.
Anderson ended the hopes of fifth seed Jelle Klaasen with a 10-6 victory while Suljovic proved too consistent for Gerwyn Price with a routine 10-4 victory that set up a showdown with Australia's Anderson.
All eyes were initially on MVG having entered the tournament with an injury but after beating Jan Dekker in the opener he was even better in the second round with a sparkling 10-1 victory and a 105 average.
However van Gerwen's scoreline was bettered by 2012 European Championship winner Whitlock, who punished 13 missed doubles from Alan Norris to claim a 10-0 whitewash victory in their last-16 encounter.
The second round was completed on Saturday evening with all three seeds from the bottom half of the draw victorious
Third seed Michael Smith edged out Benito van de Pas in a cracker, winning 10-9 to seal a first ever place in the European Championship quarter-final.
The Dutchman had rallied for four legs behind to force a decider but a spectacular 118 finish was enough for Smith to edge over the line and into a meeting with Rob Cross who reached a maiden televised major quarter-final with a 10-7 win over an injured Dave Chisnall, who battled a back problem.
Second seed and UK Open champion Peter Wright survived a scare against Johnny Clayton to set up a quarter-final with World Grand Prix champion Daryl Gurney who saw off Stephen Bunting.
Wright had to come from 4-0 and 5-2 down to secure his spot in Sunday's finals day with a 10-8 win over Clayton while Gurney's fast start was enough to account for Bunting.
Superchin reeled off four legs from 2-1 down to seize the initiative and that was enough to stay in front throughout.
The £400,000 tournament then concludes on Sunday at the Ethias Arena in Hasselt with the quarter-finals in the afternoon session and semi-finals and final in the evening session.
Sunday's schedule
Afternoon - Quarter-Finals
Michael van Gerwen v Simon Whitlock
Kyle Anderson v Mensur Suljovic
Peter Wright v Daryl Gurney
Rob Cross v Michael Smith
Evening Session - Semi-Finals & Final
The Grand Slam of Darts gets underway live on Sky Sports as the best of the PDC compete against the best of the BDO - the action from the Wolverhampton Civic Hall begins on Saturday, November 11 with a double session.
Keep up to date with the news as the tungsten enters its busiest time of year with the PDC World Championships just around the corner get all the latest at www.skysports.com/darts and join in the conversation @SkySportsDarts.
