Schedule Friday night at Grand Slam of Darts with Wade vs Rock and Humphries vs Anderson in first two quarter-finals

It's time for the quarterfinals of the Grand Slam of Darts. We are now entering the final stage of the tournament so the format goes up considerably. As many as sixteen legs must be won to reach the semifinals. Friday night the first two quarterfinals are scheduled.

None of the four players in action tonight has won the Grand Slam of Darts before, although James Wade should have had one in his pocket. In the final of the 2010 edition, Wade was ahead as much as 8-0 against Scott Waites, but 'The Machine would eventually lose 16-12. He also lost in the final in 2016 and 2020. Anderson had to settle for second place in 2011 and 2018.

In the first match of the evening, James Wade and Josh Rock face each other. The difference in experience is huge between the 40-year-old Englishman and the 22-year-old Northern Irishman. At the Grand Slam of Darts alone, Wade has been in the quarterfinals five times before, while Rock will be playing a major quarterfinal for the first time in his career.

Rock is still undefeated at this Grand Slam of Darts, though. He beat Chris Dobey, Jonny Clayton and Berry van Peer in the group stage, and was too strong for Krzysztof Ratajski in the last sixteen. Wade suffered defeat in his first group match against Ratajski, but then dealt with Nathan Girvan, world champion Michael Smith and Chris Dobey. In those last matches 'The Machine' was strong again on the finishing line. If he can do the same against Rock, the Northern Irishman can afford few misses;

Then we can get ready for a wonderful cracker between Luke Humphries and Gary Anderson. It is the second time these two players face each other, as they also met in the group stage. 'Cool Hand Luke' then left the Scot without a chance 5-1, although Anderson has been playing better since that match. Anderson threw an average of 102.77 in his subsequent match against Steve Lennon (5-1 win) and then 'The Flying Scotsman' peaked with an average of 104.96 at the last sixteen against Gerwyn Price (10-6).

But Humphries has also made extra strides since then. The Englishman has so far produced a 100+ average in every match at this tournament, culminating in an average of 105.42 in his last match against Ryan Searle (10-7). Nothing seems to have lied about that statement. Given Humphries' form, Anderson must come up with good houses to outsmart 'Cool Hand Luke'.

James Wade v Josh Rock

Luke Humphries v Gary Anderson