James Wade stuns Gerwyn Price to reach final day of Swiss Darts Trophy 2024; Stephen Bunting wins local derby with Michael Smith

After 12 attempts, James Wade has finally managed to qualify for the final day of a European Tour tournament in 2024. In the second round of the 2024 Swiss Darts Trophy, 'The Machine' managed to take a 6-4 win over Gerwyn Price.

Price had the better of the game in the early stages. The Welshman opened with a 76 finish and then cashed in his break with a 72 checkout. Wade got on the scoreboard in the third leg by throwing out 76 himself, but saw the fourth leg go to Price again. After Wade cut the deficit to 3-2, Price provided a high by throwing a 10-darter.

Wade countered with a 140 finish and then saw Price miss two darts in the eighth leg. The left-handed darter took advantage and evened the score with a 16-darter. A 14-darter in the ninth leg gave Wade his first lead of the match. The Machine then eliminated Price with a 121 finish in the tenth leg.

Besides Price, Michael Smith could also pack his bags at the Euro Tour tournament in Basel. Bullyboy' could not capitalize on a large lead against Stephen Bunting, who, like Smith, hails from St. Helens, England, and had to depart after a deciding leg. Smith got off to a good start with and managed to take a 4-1 lead thanks in part to a 156 finish. The former world champion was then waiting to checkout from 67 for 5-1, but Bunting had other plans and threw out 156.

With an 80 finish and an 86 check-out, "The Bullet" then returned to 4-4. Bunting then took over the lead with a 14-darter, before Smith forced a deciding leg. However, Bunting was allowed to start the final leg and used this advantage with a 13-darter.

Martin Schindler also reached the last sixteen at the Swiss Darts Trophy. In the second round 'The Wall' easily beat Anton Östlund 6-1, who was responsible for the elimination of Dirk van Duijvenbode in the first round.