Michael van Gerwen halts Martijn Kleermaker in dead rubber Dutch clash as Andrew Gilding seals Last 16 spot

Michael van Gerwen has qualified as group winner for the Grand Slam of Darts. Martijn Kleermaker could briefly hope for a shock against the world number three, but had to bow out in the end.

There was not much at stake in the match between the two Dutchmen. Kleermaker had already been eliminated, while Van Gerwen was assured of a place in the last sixteen after two group matches.

Van Gerwen did not play a good match and Kleermaker seemed to take advantage of that at first. Three double misses by Van Gerwen allowed 'The Dutch Giant' to take a 2-0 lead. In the fourth leg, Van Gerwen missed four more doubles and Kleermaker hit double 10 to make it 3-1.

In the fifth leg, Van Gerwen hit 84 for 2-3, followed by a 76 check-out by Kleermaker for a 4-2 lead. Kleermaker then only needed to win a leg once in 15 darts, but failed three times. Two 20-darters and a 94 finish meant the win still went to 'Mighty Mike' 5-4.

While Andrew Gilding sealed his spot in the Last 16 for the first time defeating Haruki Muramatsu 5-1 in Group F. It was a superb display from the UK Open champion as he hit a 99.8 average and a high checkout of 136 en route to moving through.

Danny Noppert is the player who is likely to join him. He needs four legs to qualify for sure. Only Brendan Dolan could halt him as they battle shortly.