De Sousa produces comeback to edge past Ratajski in thriller, Smith eases past Ashton

The action continues on the opening night at the Grand Slam of Darts with victories for Jose de Sousa and Michael Smith as they open their accounts.

De Sousa faced off against Krzysztof Ratajski in an eagerly anticipated clash between two of the most in-form players and two of the outside bets to win the tournament this week.

Ratajski went into a 3-1 lead but De Sousa produced a late comeback breaking back for 3-3 and making it three consecutive legs with an 81 finish to go one away. The former returned to send it all the way but 'The Special One' got over the line to win through 5-4 with a 99.7 average.

While Smith who claimed two titles at the PDC Winter Series and is firmly a player in form eased past Lisa Ashton who has defeated 'Bully Boy' previously on her first year on the tour but it wasn't a repeated feat tonight.

The St Helens ace won through 5-1 with a 102.5 average and 5/6 on the doubles in the end to put two points onto his tally in Group C.

Jonny Clayton (94.15) 5-4 (97.06) Ryan Joyce (G)

Joe Cullen (99.28) 2-5 (99.91) Gabriel Clemens (A)

Krzysztof Ratajski (94.76) 4-5 (99.69) Jose De Sousa (C)

Michael Smith (102.51) 5-1 (87.98) Lisa Ashton (C)

Michael van Gerwen v Adam Hunt (A)

Gerwyn Price v Mikuru Suzuki (G)

Peter Wright v Dirk van Duijvenbode (E)

Ian White v Devon Petersen (E)