Grand Slam of Darts Round-Up | Michael van Gerwen escapes in Greaves epic, Littler and Humphries ease through as methodical Toylo upsets Bunting

Michael van Gerwen narrowly avoided an opening-day upset at the 2025 Grand Slam of Darts, edging out Beau Greaves 5–4 in his first group-stage match. The Dutchman produced a solid display but was forced to a deciding leg after missing several doubles, allowing the women’s sensation to push him all the way.

Greaves struck first, taking the opening leg after Van Gerwen missed two darts to break at the Grand Slam of Darts. ‘Mighty Mike’ levelled immediately with a 14-darter, but Greaves responded in kind with a superb 13-dart leg to move back in front. Van Gerwen held throw for 2–2 and then landed an 11-darter to break before consolidating with a 14-darter for a 4–2 advantage.

‘Beau ’n Arrow’, however, refused to back down, firing in a 13-darter and a 12-darter to force a decider. In the final leg, Van Gerwen missed three match darts before Greaves herself squandered two chances on tops. The three-time world champion finally sealed victory on double three to scrape over the line.

Michael Smith marked his televised return with a 5–3 victory over Nathan Aspinall, a result that owed much to the latter’s wayward finishing. ‘The Asp’ won the opening two legs but had already missed 11 darts at double in the process. Smith pounced on further errors, as Aspinall missed one dart for each of the next two legs—allowing ‘Bully Boy’ to turn the match around and move 3–2 ahead.
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Aspinall produced an 86 checkout to level at 3–3, but a missed dart at 107 in the next leg handed Smith the chance to edge 4–3 in front. When Aspinall then wasted four darts at double 16 in leg eight, Smith stepped in to pin double four and close out the match.

Germany’s Niko Springer produced one of the day’s surprises with a 5–3 win over two-time world champion Gary Anderson. The Scot took the opener, but Springer quickly hit back. Anderson moved ahead again with double 10, only for the German to reply with a brilliant 152 checkout to level at 2–2. Both players then held throw until Springer struck a crucial 14-dart break in leg seven to lead 4–3. He made no mistake in the next leg, sealing the upset with a composed hold of throw.

World number one Luke Humphries made a perfect start to his Grand Slam campaign with a 5–0 demolition of American qualifier Alex Spellman. ‘Cool Hand Luke’ dominated from the outset, racing into a 2–0 lead with legs of 13 and 14 darts. He eased off slightly but still coasted to 4–0 with 17- and 18-dart legs, before wrapping up a comfortable whitewash in the fifth.

Luke Littler also got off to a winning start, cruising past Karel Sedlacek 5–1. ‘The Nuke’ began brightly with legs of 15 and 13 darts to go 2–0 up, and added a 17-darter to stretch his advantage. Another 13-darter left him one leg from victory, and although Sedláček capitalised on a few missed darts to get on the board, Littler quickly closed out the match to start his campaign in style.

Connor Scutt edged Daryl Gurney 5–4 in a deciding leg, while Luke Woodhouse impressed in a 5–2 win over a below-par Martin Schindler. The biggest shock came courtesy of the Philippines’ Alexis Toylo, who stunned former Lakeside champion Stephen Bunting 5–4 to record a famous win.