Saturday’s Grand Slam of Darts quarter-finals see teenager Luke Littler face Jermaine Wattimena, whereas two-time former world champion Gary Anderson performs Gian van Veen.
The match already has one semi-final line-up determined and it’s a shock one, with world quantity 45 Martin Lukeman taking over Grand Slam debutant Mickey Mansell.
Each gamers will characteristic of their first main semi-final after Lukeman upset final yr’s runner-up Rob Cross, whereas 51-year-old Mansell gained a nail-biter in opposition to Cameron Menzies.
So who will be part of Lukeman and Mansell within the final 4?
Take a look at one of the best of the motion from evening seven of the Grand Slam of Darts
Jermaine Wattimena vs Luke Littler
Teenage sensation Luke Littler edged a last-16 thriller in opposition to Mike De Decker because the Nuke gained six of the final seven legs to squeeze previous the World Grand Prix champion 10-9.
Littler’s defeat of the Belgian noticed him arrange a last-eight conflict in opposition to Jermaine Wattimena after the Dutchman fought again to beat Dimitri van den Bergh in a last-leg decider.
Sky Sports activities’ Wayne Mardle thinks Littler’s composure on the age of 17 is “not the norm” however believes De Decker may in the future elevate the World Darts Championship regardless of his heartbreaking defeat.
Wayne Mardle praises Luke Littler’s composure after his fight-back in opposition to Mike De Decker to achieve the Grand Slam of Darts quarter-final
Mardle stated: “Mike did not buckle. The one dart at a bullseye, anybody can miss that. However as soon as Luke discovered his rhythm and received nearer and nearer, it wasn’t as if Mike thought that is all an excessive amount of.
“Luke simply did his job so properly, and to have that composure, that perception at that age as properly, it is not the norm. It is simply not.
“To provide what he did in that final leg, the three-figure photographs that he had, three of them on the bounce, after which the 86 end, a 12-darter at nine-all with the darts, Mike De Decker would have needed to have gone out in 9. That is how good it was.
Luke Littler stuns Mike De Decker in remaining three legs to ebook his spot within the Grand Slam quarter-finals
“However Mike De Decker, despite the fact that he misplaced and he is a reigning champ, he is come out of this match with much more credit score. He is a possible world champion. He is that good.”
Sky Sports activities’ Mark Webster praised the Premier League champion’s character within the victory over De Decker.
The Welshman stated: “It was an excellent tie. De Decker received out in entrance and he missed some doubles at essential occasions.
“However you credit score the character of Luke Littler to come back again at him. And when he received that chance to throw for the match, he actually grabbed it.
“A little bit of despair for De Decker. He did have the one dart at a double – it was solely a bullseye, however he can maintain his head excessive. However for Luke Littler, it was a implausible efficiency.”
Gary Anderson vs Gian van Veen
Saturday’s different quarter-final has been labelled as “fascinating” by Mardle with the skilled Anderson, in his seventeenth Grand Slam look, going through the in-form Van Veen.
The 22-year-old has averaged 100+ in his 4 victories, together with a median of 106 and 7 maximums in his last-16 win over Ryan Joyce.
Gian van Veen eases previous Ryan Joyce and into the Grand Slam of Darts quarter-finals with a 9-2 victory
The Dutchman’s red-hot performances are “championship-winning stuff” in line with Mardle, who thinks he seems to be “untouchable”.
Mardle stated: “Till somebody’s gained a significant, there’s all the time that query mark of, ‘Are they adequate to win a significant?’ He is adequate. He is already confirmed it sport after sport after sport. That is championship-winning stuff. It is even higher than that.
“Nobody will get close to him if he continues to play like this. It is the truth that he is so good, it is a case of he’ll win it if that kind continues.
“He is the one one which’s seemed untouchable. Everybody else has had slightly little bit of frailty sooner or later. Gian van Veen, none of it. It is spectacular what he is doing.”
The 51-year-old added: “I believe the Gian van Veen and Gary Anderson sport is fascinating.
“If Gian van Veen performs like this once more then what on earth? We expect that these report averages are simply set for sure folks like Gary Anderson, like Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor. No. Gian Van Veen is one other teen that believes he can rule the world and why not?”
However Anderson, who defeated Masters champion Stephen Bunting within the final 16, might be hoping to cease Van Veen and stay on track for a maiden Grand Slam title having completed runner-up twice on the occasion.
Gary Anderson beats Stephen Bunting 10-6 to achieve the Grand Slam quarter-finals
Webster stated: “It is some tie. I used to be impressed with each gamers in numerous methods. Clearly, for Gian he simply continued that ridiculous scoring and simply battering gamers into submission.
“He did it within the group and we’re like, ‘Okay, it is first to 5’. He is performed it first to 10 so we have to begin taking this man significantly for a tilt on the title.
“However with Gary Anderson, he did the injury together with his ending and he will want that in opposition to Gian, however he is received to attain with him or he will not get these alternatives.”
Grand Slam of Darts stay on Sky Sports activities
Reside Grand Slam of Darts
Saturday sixteenth November 7:00pm
The final two quarter-finals of the 2024 Grand Slam of Darts happen on Saturday.
Luke Littler faces Jermaine Wattimena, whereas Gary Anderson and Gian van Veen face-off.
Watch stay protection from 7pm on Sky Sports activities Important Event and Sky Sports activities+.
