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.
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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'.
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.
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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.
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2020 Grand Slam of Darts Schedule
Monday November 23
Semi-Finals
Simon Whitlock (97.92) 12-16 (97.53) Jose De Sousa
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James Wade (98.61) 16-15 (96.87) Dimitri Van den Bergh
Best of 31 legs
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- Good, absolutely no loss if we never see this dancing goof ever again......no that is not fair. He absolutely cannot and has never been remotely able to dance!richieburnettrocks10-11-2026
- Yes Phil,now the money in the game is bigger than ever,you'd play littler. Well so would I! Retire on your memory Phil,and your successful careerrick6709-11-2026
- And why should he listen to you?Deduce635807-11-2026
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- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026
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- She's technically not a professional though as she doesn't hold a pro tour card.mr-pablo04-11-2026
- Such a shame that lakeside has been reduced to this. Fantastic venue,and previously a great tournament. Not any morerick6703-11-2026
