23/11/2020

Wade produces comeback to edge past Van den Bergh into third Grand Slam final

James Wade will look to make it third times the charm on Tuesday night when he faces Jose de Sousa in the final of the Grand Slam of Darts.

Wade is through to his third final in this tournament despite never having led against Dimitri van den Bergh until the final dart. He claimed it 16-15 after coming back from 9-5 down in a vintage performance from 'The Machine'.

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Van den Bergh made a brilliant start to the tie pouncing on eight missed darts to go 4-1 up with a 68 checkout moving him three clear at the first break.

He landed a fourth 180 when they returned and completed a 14-darter to claim a 6-2 advantage and at the next break, his lead stood at 7-3 up as he regained a four leg cushion and it seemed to be slipping away from the grasp of Wade.

Wade took out 64 to hold throw and close the gap to 7-4 but Van den Bergh went 9-5 up with a 101 checkout as a crucial break continued to allude 'The Machine'.

But he continued to hang on at 9-6 down with a potential twist still in the offing, this was the case with Wade claiming a crucial breakthrough to make it 10-8.

Van den Bergh was sat at the break though still at 11-9 up ending a run of three consecutive Wade legs to move two clear again and it was an 11-dart hold which saw him three away at 13-9.

Wade wasn't done though as a break saw Wade make it 13-11 and three consecutive legs suddenly saw him 13-12 behind.

He missed one dart at double 19 and Van den Bergh stopped the rot to make it 14-12. Wade still needed a break of throw though despite being 14-13 behind.

Wade nearly got that though as he missed a 101 but Van den Bergh made it six missed darts and Wade drew level with the Aldershot ace having the darts to go ahead.

But a poor leg from Wade saw Van den Bergh break and go one away himself with the throw. Darting drama ensued though as Van den Bergh missed a dart at the bull and Wade punished with double six.

A 140 and 180 opening salvo saw Wade well on his way and he hit 105 to leave 76 after nine darts for the match. This finished it off for 'The Machine' as he led for the first and only time in the tie.