Nathan Aspinall averts potential shock loss to Beau Greaves as Danny Noppert quells impressive debut from Haruki Muramatsu

It was so nearly glory for Beau Greaves to begin her Grand Slam of Darts debut, as Nathan Aspinall will be breathing a sigh of relief on Saturday afternoon in Wolverhampton.

After Damon Heta took the early spoils to begin Group H earlier on, it was time for Aspinall v Greaves and despite the latter not playing at Ally Pally next month, she looked determined to make her Wolverhampton debut count.

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For many the best female player when on full flow, Greaves took an incredible opening lead against the World Matchplay champion who has struggled for form as of late and won't play in Minehead next week so this will be his final action before the World Championship.

She hit a 124 checkout after an earlier 101 to take the early initiative and leaving Aspinall needing to dig deep to salvage anything. He missed five darts at doubles though and Greaves went one away.

But out of nowhere, Aspinall hit his first 180 and levelled up at 4-4 albeit with Greaves having the throw but she failed to capitalise with a 98 checkout sealing the deal for 'The Asp' to spare his blushes with a 97 average and 5/13 on the outer ring.

While after having to qualify and then being installed as a late seed, Danny Noppert has been from pillar to post in the past week and found himself up against Haruki Muramatsu in Group F.

But it was 'The Freeze' who stole a march in a 5-3 win albeit against a Japanese ace who impressed on his debut.

Muramatsu who will make his World Championship return next month is well known as one of Japan's top players and a previous regular fixture at Ally Pally and like Greaves nearly made good of his chance.

Noppert though dug deep with a 161 checkout along the way in a superb opening display. This in a group in which Andrew Gilding took an early win today.