Gary Anderson leaves Van Leuven winless as Wattimena secures top spot in Grand Slam of Darts group

Jermaine Wattimena and Gary Anderson successfully completed their group stage at the 2024 Grand Slam of Darts on Tuesday night. Both players also won their third group match, becoming undefeated winners of their respected groups in the process.

Anderson recorded a solid victory over Noa-Lynn van Leuven, thus ending her debut at the Grand Slam of Darts with her third defeat in three duels. Van Leuven had previously lost to Michael van Gerwen (5-0) and Ryan Joyce (5-3). Anderson had already secured a place in the last sixteen by beating Joyce (5-1) and Michael van Gerwen (5-4).

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The two-time world champion still needed a win over Van Leuven to become group winner. The Dutch darter offered fine resistance to the Scot, but the match was decided on the doubles. Anderson had a finishing percentage of 71 per cent (5/7), compared to 25 per cent (2/8) for Van Leuven. The result was thus 5-2 in favour of 'The Flying Scotsman'.

Wattimena was the surprise leader in Group E after victories over Mike de Decker (5-2) and Michael Smith (5-1). This also assured 'The Machine Gun' of a place in the knockout phase. Against Mensur Suljovic he needed three legs to actually become group winner. Suljovic managed to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 lead via a 116 finish and a 14-darter, but could not capitalise on the break. The Austrian missed two doubles and Wattimena levelled the score with a double 8. Both men then held their own leg, requiring a decider. The leg decider went beautifully to Wattimena, who finished the match with a 148 finish.

Anderson will face the runner-up from Group H at the start of the knockout phase. For Wattimena, a duel against Keane Barry or Dimitri van den Bergh is scheduled at the last sixteen.

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