Wade sees off Heta in superb display, Whitlock battles past Searle

The action continues on the opening day at the Grand Slam of Darts with victories to begin Group B and F for Simon Whitlock and James Wade.

Wade was facing off against the in-form Damon Heta but produced a superb display to dispel the Aussie ace who nearly added to his title haul for the year at last week's Winter Series.

'The Machine' came through with a 5-2 victory averaging 102.4 and hitting 5/7 on the doubles to open his account in this year's tournament.

But while Heta couldn't come through, his World Cup of Darts partner Whitlock could do seeing off Ryan Searle in a 5-3 victory in their Group B opener.

It was a 93 average for 'The Wizard' with a solitary 180 but an impressive 55 percent on the doubles as he punished 3/11 from 'Heavy Metal'.

2020 Grand Slam of Darts Schedule

Monday November 16

Afternoon Session (1300 GMT)

Rob Cross (94.61) 5-1 (84.81) Justin Pipe (D)

Dave Chisnall (91.96) 5-4 (97.65) Luke Humphries (D)

James Wade (102.44) 5-2 (94.91) Damon Heta (F)

Simon Whitlock (93.77) 5-3 (96.18) Ryan Searle (B)

Glen Durrant v Jermaine Wattimena (F)

Nathan Aspinall v Wayne Warren (H)

Dimitri Van den Bergh v Ricky Evans (H)

Gary Anderson v Adam Gawlas (B)