Mike de Decker boosts hopes at Grand Slam of Darts with Suljovic win after Mickey Mansell makes it two wins from two

Mike de Decker has kept his hopes alive at the 2024 Grand Slam of Darts. After a 5-2 defeat to Jermaine Wattimena in his opening group game, 'The Real Deal' managed to win 5-2 over Mensur Suljovic in Group E.

It was De Decker's first ever win at this tournament, after losing all his matches in his only previous participation back in 2021. With another game against Michael Smith ahead, the Belgian still has every chance of qualifying for the knockout phase.

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De Decker got a break up in the third leg with an 87 finish, but failed to capitalise after ten misses on the double. This allowed Suljovic to make it 2-2 with a 20-darter. However, the fifth leg produced another break for De Decker, who checked out 80. The 28-year-old darter Belgian doubled the lead with a 64 finish. Suljovic then had one more chance to stay in the match, but 'The Gentle' could not capitalize on his chance on double 20. Decker took advantage and threw out 59 for the win.

In Group A, Mickey Mansell did excellent business by following up his 5-3 victory over James Wade with a 5-3 win over Rowby-John Rodriguez, putting the Northern Irishman very close to a spot in the second round of the Grand Slam of Darts. Mansell took a 3-1 lead against the Austrian, but allowed Rodriguez to come back to 3-3. However, 'Little John' then surrendered his own leg again after Mansell managed to throw out 114. The 'Clonoe Cyclone' then cleverly decided the match with a 12-darter.

Also in this particular group are the defending champion and world number one Luke Humphries, plus James Wade, both of whom lost their first group match on Saturday night. For both men it will probably be make or break in this group.

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