Schedule and preview Saturday evening session 2021 Grand Slam of Darts including Wright-Sherrock and Van Gerwen-Ashton

The Grand Slam of Darts began on Saturday afternoon with a tasty appetiser of what's to come this week ahead of the Evening Session which is packed with stories up and down the schedule.

It starts with Gabriel Clemens and Mike de Decker facing off in the Group E opener. 'The German Giant' continued his unbeaten run in the qualifier earlier this month and will face De Decker who faces an important month or so in terms of his Tour Card survival.

He ended the hopes of Kim Huybrechts in the qualifier who has been in terrific form as of late and they will begin proceedings.

Followed up by the defending champion Jose de Sousa who flanks a brilliant back to back Group F line-up.

He faces the very capable, Matt Campbell who will begin a run of playing in both the Grand Slam and World Championship before taking his Tour Card next year through winning the European Challenge Tour.

This is followed by Luke Humphries facing Mensur Suljovic. If both catch alight, it could be a game of the night amongst all of the other games highly touted on the schedule.

Gary Anderson is ever present in the Grand Slam of Darts but has never won it.

He faces Joe Davis in the Group H opener who has been suffering from injury but will look to show some form and deal the Flying Scotsman an early blow.

This is followed by Michael van Gerwen facing Lisa Ashton. The best in the world in recent years on the men's side faces the most decorated of recent years on the ladies' side of the game. A real intriguing battle.

Also in Group G is Joe Cullen facing John Henderson. A real show of a return to form was there for 'The Rockstar' at the recent Super Series and ahead of a potential rematch with Van Gerwen from that set of ProTours, he will aim to lay down a marker.

As will Peter Wright who has been very much out of sorts lately. He faces Fallon Sherrock in the most talked about game of the evening. 'Snakebite' a usual heavy fans favourite could have the crowd against him when he faces the Queen of the Palace.

A player who usually produces her best on stage, she will look to produce a famous win over Wright.

That alongside the return to Sky Sports of Raymond van Barneveld for the first time since his infamous final game against Darin Young two years ago at the World Championship.

The doyen of Dutch darts would usually get all the acclaim and montages but will act as the follow up to Sherrock facing Michael Smith in another hotly anticipated return.

Gabriel Clemens v Mike De Decker (E)

Jose de Sousa v Matt Campbell (F)

Luke Humphries v Mensur Suljovic (F)

Gary Anderson v Joe Davis (H)

Michael van Gerwen v Lisa Ashton (G)

Joe Cullen v John Henderson (G)

Peter Wright v Fallon Sherrock (E)

Michael Smith v Raymond van Barneveld (H)