Grand Slam of Darts, day five schedule and preview

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Wednesday, 15 November 2017 at 13:48
Berry van Peer GSOD
The going gets tough at the Wolves Civic as the Grand Slam of Darts enters the knockout phase.
Half of the field are gone, and the remaining sixteen do battle this week to claim the grand prize.
Former champions Michael van Gerwen, Raymond van Barneveld and Phil Taylor all take part.
None play tonight, however, as qualifiers from Groups E-H face off in the round of 16.
Play features two former runners-up and the continuing feel-good story of the week.
Matches in this round are best of 21 legs, making these games more of a marathon than a sprint.
Play begins in Wolverhampton at 7pm GMT.
Mensur Suljovic vs Berry van Peer: Two fan favourites go head-to-head at the Wolves Civic. Effervescent PDC world number seven Suljovic won all three of his Group G games. He will have his sights set on a quarter-final tussle with Gary Anderson, who is the favourite in this half of the draw. In his way stands van Peer, who has won hearts and minds this week. Despite defeat against Anderson, the World Youth Championship finalist impressed in wins over Simon Whitlock and Cameron Menzies. His crippling dartitis has held him back, but the young Dutchman is still capable. Suljovic's consistency and excellent finishing should be enough. But, if van Peer can control the dartitis and play with no pressure, he could push the Austrian.
Glen Durrant vs Dave Chisnall: The sole surviving BDO player goes into this match as favourite. Durrant, despite losing to Corey Cadby, was excellent in wins over Peter Wright and Alan Norris. The Middlesbrough man has consistently averaged over 100 and is capable of some impressive combination finishes. 2014 finalist Chisnall, meanwhile, limped through Group F thanks to Stephen Bunting's intervention. 'Chizzy' lost last time out against Jeffrey de Zwaan, and could find it hard against Durrant. If a normally maximum-happy Chisnall does not stay consistent with his scoring, 'Duzza' could punish him.
Gary Anderson vs Michael Smith: World number three Gary Anderson has not reached the Grand Slam final since 2011. But the twice world champion will fancy his chances in a fairly open-looking half of the draw. Anderson won all three of his Group H games, and never looked troubled. Smith, who lost to Mensur Suljovic and narrowly avoided defeat in his last two games, needs to stay consistent to trouble Anderson. If Suljovic vs van Peer will be played at a snail's pace, this tie between two fluent players will be done in double-quick time.
Stephen Bunting vs Peter Wright: The night is rounded off by a clash between Group F winner Bunting and Group E runner-up Wright. Bunting dispatched Dave Chisnall, Jeffrey de Zwaan and Scott Mitchell well, but Wright is a tougher challenge. Wright only qualified by the skin of his teeth after Alan Norris missed a match dart, but will fare better over a longer format. There is no reason Bunting cannot win this one. The St Helens thrower has scored well and been consistent on his doubles. It is dealing with the added do-or-die pressure, which Wright has already experienced, that may well make the difference.

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