Grand Slam of Darts Round-Up | Gian van Veen escapes shock Ashton loss, not same fate for Price and Wade in early defeats
European Champion Gian van Veen opened his Grand Slam of Darts campaign with a hard-fought victory over Lisa Ashton, kicking off Group Stage action at the 2025 tournament in Wolverhampton.The Dutchman looked in total control early on at the Grand Slam of Darts, racing into a 2–0 lead with ease, but Ashton soon found her range. The four-time Women’s World Champion hit an 80 finish to get on the board before producing back-to-back tops checkouts to move ahead 3–2.Van Veen, nicknamed The Giant, levelled with a tidy hold on double 18, only to see Ashton regain the lead and move within one leg of victory. The reigning European Champion dug deep to force a decider and ultimately showed his class, taking the final leg to seal a nervy 5–4 win.
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Evans stuns Price, Bellmont topples Wade, Crabtree dismantles Clayton
The opening day also produced a series of eye-catching upsets. Ricky Evans delivered one of the biggest shocks of the tournament so far, edging out Gerwyn Price 5–4 in a dramatic encounter.
Evans struck first with a 16-darter before Price levelled and then took the lead after four missed darts from his opponent. The pair traded breaks before Evans produced a brilliant 109 finish to move 4–3 up. Price kept himself alive with a spectacular 167 checkout, but Evans held his nerve in the decider, taking out 86 for a famous win over the Welshman.
There was also a comeback to remember for Stefan Bellmont, who recovered from 3–0 down to stun James Wade 5–4. Wade had looked on course for a routine victory after finishing 95, 114 and a 12-darter to take a commanding lead, but the Swiss star roared back to level at 3–3. After Wade restored the lead with an 11-darter, Bellmont completed the turnaround to clinch victory in the decider.
Young English prospect Cam Crabtree made an impressive Grand Slam debut with a dominant 5–1 win over Jonny Clayton. Crabtree averaged 102 and hit every dart at a double, racing into a 3–0 lead and sealing the match with an 81 finish to round off a perfect performance.
Nijman edges Rock in high-quality thriller
Wessel Nijman claimed a superb opening win after edging out Josh Rock 5–4 in one of the matches of the day. Despite Rock averaging around 109, the Dutchman held his nerve in a last-leg decider.
Rock started in explosive fashion but missed five darts for the opening leg, allowing Nijman to snatch it. The Northern Irishman hit back with a 12-darter and two 14-darters to move 3–1 in front, before Nijman responded with an 86 checkout.
Rock extended his advantage to 4–2 but missed two match darts at double 12. Nijman took full advantage, closing the gap before producing a stunning 130 finish on the bull to force a decider, which he won in 13 darts to complete a brilliant comeback.
Noppert survives seven match darts in dramatic win
Danny Noppert also made a winning start – though he needed every ounce of luck to get over the line against Lukas Wenig. “The Freeze” survived seven match darts before eventually sealing a 5–4 victory in a scrappy affair.
Wenig flew out of the traps with a 100 finish to lead 2–0, before Noppert replied with an 84 checkout. The German responded with a superb 126 finish for 3–1, but Noppert clawed back with a 13-darter and capitalised on missed doubles to level the tie.
Wenig regained the lead at 4–3 with a 72 finish but failed to convert four match darts in the following leg, then another three in the decider. Noppert punished the errors to pinch victory against the run of play.
Dobey dazzles, Heta cruises past Lukeman
It was a tough debut for Jurjen van der Velde, who went down 5–1 to a clinical Chris Dobey who has managed to cultivate some superb form as of late. The Englishman fired 107 and 114 checkouts to open up a 2–0 lead, and despite Van der Velde pulling one leg back, Dobey continued to dominate. He took out 130 on the bull for his third ton-plus finish of the match before sealing the win with double 16.
Elsewhere, Damon Heta began his campaign with a routine 5–1 victory over Martin Lukeman, looking sharp and composed throughout as he eased to an opening win.
