22/11/2020

Grand Slam of Darts 2020 schedule: Sunday evening session, featuring Van Gerwen-Whitlock in Quarter-Finals

Four players with big aspirations complete the quarter-final set at the Grand Slam of Darts.

Nathan Aspinall is looking for a first major win - or a first major final, if you don't count the Premier League. And no, I'm not starting that debate now. The Asp looked to have missed his chance to beat reigning Grand Slam champion Gerwyn Price, only for a late swing back in his favour. In the end, he outscored Price, but more importantly overcame his own self-doubt.

That was the key for Dimitri van den Bergh, who previously would be someone you'd see physically shaking at the oche. You won't see that any more. The Belgian is stoic, secure and scoring sensationally right now. It's not that hard to see him following the World Matchplay with the Grand Slam. But every new game brings a new challenge. If Aspinall shakes off the loose visits that temper his heavy scoring, we could see a couple of ton-plus averages and, hopefully, a classic.

How to watch 2020 Grand Slam of Darts live

Simon Whitlock's had some fun against Michael van Gerwen in recent times. At the World Matchplay, the Wizard was the 11-4 victor, in a game Van Gerwen never got close to winning. A 3-0 success followed at the World Grand Prix and again, Mighty Mike was made to look very ordinary. But it's worth remembering the context of both games - Whitlock was in great form and Van Gerwen was struggling.

The tables haven't fully turned, but Whitlock wasn't exactly fantastic against Adam Hunt. Van Gerwen, meanwhile, has added Gary Anderson to the growing list of obliterated opponents. The world number one feels good. In darts, a sport where mentality is often the deciding factor, that means a huge amount. That does also mean that Whitlock going into this game with the confidence of recent triumphs can be a contributing factor.