Aspinall edges Searle in thriller after Clayton impresses at 2024 World Grand Prix

Nathan Aspinall and Jonny Clayton have qualified for the second round of the 2024 World Grand Prix through victories over Ryan Searle & Ritchie Edhouse, respectively.

Aspinall opened strongly and won the first leg easily with an impressive 12-darter. In the second leg, both players had chances on the double, but in the end it was 'The Asp' who managed to extend his lead to 2-0 via double 5.

In the third leg Searle missed his first four darts to open, but still managed to take his first leg with a 112 finish. Yet he was unable to make a fist in the fourth leg, allowing Aspinall to take the set convincingly 3-1.

In the opening leg of the second set, Aspinall needed as many as ten darts to get underway, allowing Searle to easily take the 0-1 lead. Due to some missed doubles by 'The Asp', the second and third leg also went to 'Heavy Metal', the recent finalist of the Swiss Darts Trophy. A decisive third set had to determine the winner.

The current world number six started the deciding set strongly, quickly taking a 2-0 lead with a 17-darter and a 14-darter, which made victory seem within reach. In the third and fourth leg, however, Aspinall missed three match darts, allowing Searle to come back to 2-2. In the final leg, 'The Asp' started impressively with seven perfect arrows and put himself on double 12 after nine darts. Searle was also on tops after 12 darts, but eventually Aspinall sealed the match with his third dart via double 3, winning 2-1 in sets.

Clayton started his match against Edhouse particularly sharp, winning the first two legs within 14 and 15 darts, including an impressive 130 finish. Edhouse came back to 2-1 with a 15-darter, but 'The Ferret' closed the first set with a 102-finish in his favor. The Welshman posted an impressive average of 102 in the opening set and was flawless on the doubles, giving Edhouse no chance to claw his way into the match.

In the second set, Clayton continued at the same level and immediately took the lead again with a 15-darter. Edhouse did not give in easily, however, and responded with a nifty 147 finish to tie the score at 1-1.

Clayton then missed a 141 finish to retake the lead, giving Edhouse a 1-2 lead via double 4. Clayton, however, broke back immediately to be one leg away from victory. In the deciding leg, Edhouse failed to open in his first turn, giving Clayton the chance to finish the match. Despite missing three match darts on double 4, the Welshman eventually managed to lock up the match via double 2.