Danny Noppert closes in on knockout stage as Martin Schindler defeats Beau Greaves for first win

Danny Noppert took a big step toward qualifying for the knockout stage of the Grand Slam of Darts. Following his earlier victory over Beau Greaves (5-2), 'The Freeze' was 5-4 too strong for Cameron Menzies.

It was another solid performance by Noppert, who posted an average of 96.76 and a finishing percentage of 50 percent. In the first leg, Noppert immediately found the double, but in the second leg, he missed a break opportunity on tops. Menzies hit the double 4 to make it 1-1.

Noppert then made it 2-1 with a 15-darter, but missed two more break chances in leg four. Menzies hoped in the fifth leg to dock from 116 for a break, but Noppert foiled this attempt by notching a 170 finish.

The double 4 was found by Menzies to tie the score again, before Noppert produced a 76 finish for a 4-3 lead. Menzies forced a final leg after a 13-darter in the eighth leg.

Noppert had the advantage of starting the last leg. The former UK Open champion did an excellent job and was on a finish after nine arrows. With an 11-darter he finished the job.

In the other group match, Martin Schindler picked up his first points by beating Greaves 5-1. Scoring-wise, Greaves was no match for the German, who, with an average of 98.44, scored some 15 points per turn more than the 20-year-old Englishman.

The first two legs went with the darts before Schindler managed to make it 3-1 via two 15-darters. Greaves then missed two chances for a rebreak before Schindler hit double 10 for 4-1. Schindler then decided the match with a 13-darter.

On Monday, Noppert plays Schindler in his final group match, while Menzies faces Greaves. Noppert needs three legs to qualify for the last sixteen. If Menzies wins by at least two legs, he is also assured of a spot in the knockout stage.