Raymond van Barneveld has also won his third and final group match at the Grand Slam of Darts. The 55-year-old ‘Barney’ left Englishman Ted Evetts, who occupies a modest 106th place in the world ranking, 5-0 in Wolverhampton.
Van Barneveld surprised last weekend with a victory over Gerwyn Price, the number 1 in the world. The Dutchman, himself the global number 50, had already started the tournament with a victory over Dave Chisnall. In the eighth finals, group winner Van Barneveld will compete against the number 2 of group B: Simon Whitlock.
,,Before this tournament I was 50th in the world and then nobody takes you into account”, said Van Barneveld at Viaplay. ,,And then you beat Price, Chisnall and Evans, you suddenly win this group and everyone is shaken up. enjoy it, I can finally do that after so many years, I am really proud and very happy.”
Dirk van Duijvenbode and Danny Noppert
Dirk van Duijvenbode and Danny Noppert also managed to win all their group matches. Aubergenius defeated Czech Adam Gawlas, who is 74th on the Order of Merit, 5-3 tonight. Noppert beat Mensur Suljovic 5-4.
World number 1 Price awaits Noppert in the second round. Van Duijvenbode faces Joe Cullen, the number 15 in the ranking. The fourth match in the second round is between Rob Cross and Michael Smith.
Michael van Gerwen
Jermaine Wattimena and Michael van Gerwen will play their last group match on Tuesday.
Last year, the tournament was won by Price. In 2017, Van Gerwen was the last Dutchman to win the tournament.
Results of the last group match
(* = qualified for next round)
Dirk van Duijvenbode* 5-3 Adam Gawlas (D)
Raymond van Barneveld* 5-0 Ted Evetts (A)
Simon Whitlock* 5-3 Christian Perez (B)
Danny Noppert* 5-4 Mensur Suljovic (B)
Gerwyn Price* 5-4 Dave Chisnall (A)
Joe Cullen* 5-3 Lisa Ashton (C)
Michael Smith* 5-1 Ritchie Edhouse (C)
Rob Cross* 5-4 Martin Schindler (D)
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