BDO and PDC stars set for Grand Slam of Darts live on Sky Sports
Saturday 8 November 2014 13:00, UK
Michael van Gerwen is bidding to claim his maiden SINGHA Beer Grand Slam of Darts title in Wolverhampton next week - but will have reigning champion Phil Taylor and debutants Stephen Bunting and Alan Norris amongst his rivals in the £400,000 event.
PDC World Champion and world number one van Gerwen enjoyed a golden October as he won the World Grand Prix, European Championship and a Players Championship during a superb month.
Although he was a semi-final loser to Mervyn King in last week's Masters event in Edinburgh, the 25-year-old is the pre-tournament favourite and top seed going into the Grand Slam of Darts, which is being held at the Wolves Civic from November 8-16 - and you can watch it live on Sky Sports.
Van Gerwen kicks off his challenge on Saturday against Wildcard Qualifier Darren Webster, and has also draw Belgian Kim Huybrechts and fellow Dutchman Jan Dekker in Group A.
"It's a great tournament and it's a massive target of mine to win it," said van Gerwen, who lost in the 2012 final to Raymond van Barneveld. "The venue is one I really enjoy and you always get brilliant fans in Wolverhampton.
Live Grand Slam of Darts
"My form is good at the moment. It was disappointing not to win The Masters last weekend but I am now fully focused on the Grand Slam of Darts.
"The first round is best of nine legs so it's a very short format, but if I can keep up the form that I've had over the last month then there is a good chance I can do well."
Another player travelling to the Wolves Civic in top form is James Wade, who hit a nine-darter on his way to the World Grand Prix final before claiming his first major TV title for over three years last weekend at The Masters.
His run to the final included wins over Brendan Dolan, Adrian Lewis and Phil Taylor before he came from 9-2 down to win 11-10 against Mervyn King in the decider.
"Everything's good at the moment," said Wade, who opens Group G against Jamie Caven and will also meet King and Tony O'Shea in the round-robin phase. "People keep saying that I'm nearly back to my best, but watch me at the moment.
"In the quarter-finals and semi-finals last week I think I was pretty good. They were both 105 averages and I don't think many players could do that two games in a row, especially against the players I played, Adrian Lewis and Phil Taylor.
"I don't mean to reel off stats and once upon a time I wouldn't have done that, but I'm learning a little more self-confidence and I'm not embarrassed to put out there that I averaged 105 and that I'm proud of myself."
Reigning Grand Slam of Darts champion Phil Taylor kicks off his challenge to win a sixth Wolves Civic title against youngster Richie George on Saturday, with Andy Hamilton and Christian Kist also in Group E.
"I love the Grand Slam and can't wait to get back there," said Taylor. "Last year's win was fantastic and it would be brilliant to win back the trophy - but it will be very tough.
"You've got to be on your game in the Group Stage because the games are short, but if you can get through that you can relax in the second round with the longer format."
The tournament's number three seed Stephen Bunting is making his debut in the Grand Slam of Darts after winning the Lakeside Championship title in January.
The St Helens ace kicks off his challenge against Holland's Wesley Harms on Saturday and will also meet Gary Anderson and Dean Winstanley in a tough Group H, but said: "I can't wait for the event.
"I went along last year to watch and I'm really looking forward to getting there, getting on stage and hopefully having a really good tournament.
"I'm playing well at the moment and I fancy my chances - but there are so many great players in the event. No matter who you get, you've got to play to the best of your ability but I know I've got the game to beat any player."
Bunting had seen off Alan Norris to win the Lakeside Championship title, with the Yeovil-born, Scottish based BDO number two also set to make his Grand Slam of Darts debut this week.
Norris faces Ronny Huybrechts, nine-time major finalist Terry Jenkins and 2010 Grand Slam of Darts champion Scott Waites in Group B, and said: "I've watched the Grand Slam for a few years and I think the atmosphere down there is going to be electric.
"It's a bit more closed in, a bit more of a cauldron feeling, and it's going to be pretty exciting.
"I've been doing the BDO a circuit for a while so it will be like playing an exhibition match against some of your darting heroes. I'm really looking forward to locking horns with them, it's going to be good.
"I've had a good year. I've won about six tournaments on the circuit and gone up the rankings, my form's good and I'm happy."
Watch the Grand Slam of Darts live on Sky Sports, November 8-16. In December you can see all the action from the World Championships at Alexandra Palace and don't forget to follow us on Twitter @SkySportsDarts #LovetheDarts #HomeofDarts #DartsonSky
