The final four... 🏴
The seventeenth edition of the Grand Slam of Darts is going to have an English winner no matter what. Four English players managed to get through the quarter-finals at the tournament in Wolverhampton over the past two days.
There will also be a new name at the Eric Bristow Trophy anyway. James Wade, Luke Humphries, Stephen Bunting and Rob Cross none of them have won the Grand Slam of Darts before. In fact, Wade should have already 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.
Wade, however, faces a huge task to reach the final. After victories over Nathan Girvan, Michael Smith, Chris Dobey and Josh Rock, the left-handed dart player will face tournament favorite Luke Humphries. 'Cool Hand Luke' already won over Steve Lennon, Gary Anderson, Dirk van Duijvenbode, Ryan Searle and another Gary Anderson. In addition, Humphries threw an average of (well) over one hundred in all of his matches.
Wade and Humphries recently met at the European Darts Championship. Then the win surprisingly went to "The Machine. In the overall head-to-head, however, Humphries leads 8-5. 'Cool Hand Luke' won five of the last six meetings between them.
The second semi-final is between Bunting and Cross. Bunting suffered a defeat against Stowe Buntz in the group stage, but took revenge on the American by beating him in the quarter-finals. 'The Bullet' also beat Dave Chisnall, Peter Wright and Danny Noppert. Cross also suffered a defeat in the group stage. 'Voltage' lost to Michael van Gerwen, but took the spoils against Fallon Sherrock and Martijn Kleermaker. Cross then also dealt with Nathan Aspinall and Damon Heta.
The showdown between Cross and Bunting will be their twelfth meeting between them. No less than eight of the previous eleven duels were won by Cross. The last meeting dates from September this year. Then Cross won 6-5.
Sunday, Nov. 19
Afternoon session (from 2 p.m.)
Semi-final
James Wade v Luke Humphries
Stephen Bunting v Rob Cross
Evening session (from 8 p.m.)
Final
The final four... 🏴