By Harry Eddolls
Tonight saw the beginning of one of the most unique tournaments in darts, the World Grand Prix in Leicester. The double start format ensures there’s never any shortage of drama and excitement, and the tournament began with eight first round matches for the crowd at the Mattioli Arena to enjoy.
ROUND 1 – MATCH 1: ROB CROSS vs WESSEL NIJMAN
The first match of the evening and the tournament saw the 2018 world champion Rob Cross take on Dutch debutant Wessel Nijman. It was Voltage who started off best, storming into a 2-0 lead in the first set, which included a lovely 135 out in leg two to break throw. Nijman wouldn’t go quietly however, and won the next two legs to take the first set to a fifth leg. Cross would hold his nerve on throw to take the opening set of the tournament.
The second set began with an exchange of breaks, which was then followed by an exchange of holds to once again force a fifth leg. It was Nijman’s turn this time to hold his throw, and take the set to force the first game of the tournament all the way.
Cross began the third set with a hold of throw, but the Englishman lost control of the set, losing the next two legs to leave his opponent on the verge of the second round. Nijman couldn’t get the job done however, as Voltage broke straight back to force yet another fifth leg in a set, with this one deciding the match. Cross held, to take the set 3-2, and secure a 2-1 victory, making him the first name into the second round.
ROUND 1 – MATCH 2: MARTIN SCHINDLER vs KRZYSZTOF RATAJSKI
The next clash saw the German number one Martin Schindler take to the stage against Krzysztof Ratajski. The Polish Eagle started in spectacular fashion, storming through the opening set without reply to establish the early advantage in the contest.
Schindler began the second set by holding his throw, but that would be as good as it got for The Wall. Ratajski regained control, winning the next three legs to take the set 3-1 and complete an impressive 2-0 victory to move into the next round.
ROUND 1 – MATCH 3: CHRIS DOBEY vs CAMERON MENZIES
Next to face off were the 2023 Masters champion Chris Dobey and Scotsman Cameron Menzies. Just like in the previous game, it was the man throwing first, which in this game was Menzies, who breezed through the opening set with a 3-0 scoreline.
The second set began with an exchange of holds, before a massive moment in leg three, when Menzies produced a shanghai 120 out to put him within a leg of the match. It looked as if his effort may have been in vain, as Dobey broke straight back to force a fifth leg. Hollywood couldn’t take the opportunity however. Menzies continued a run of three straight breaks in the match, which was enough for him to take the set 3-1 and therefore the match 2-0, for his first ever Grand Prix win.
ROUND 1 – MATCH 4: JAMES WADE vs JOE CULLEN
The game which took us to the halfway point of the night was a tussle between two-time Grand Prix winner James Wade and fellow Englishman Joe Cullen. For the third game in a row, the first set was a whitewash. This time, it was Cullen’s turn to storm to the first set.
Wade made a much better start to the second set. He broke before holding to see him into a 2-0 lead. It wasn’t to last for The Machine though. Cullen came storming back, winning the last three legs in a row to edge the second set 3-2, and record a 2-0 win, which was the third whitewash in a row.
ROUND 1 – MATCH 5: DANNY NOPPERT vs JERMAINE WATTIMENA
The next clash was an all Dutch affair, as Danny Noppert faced off against Jermaine Wattimena. As was becoming a pattern, the first set was a whitewash, with Wattimena taking it on throw.
The second set began with a trade of breaks, before Noppert asserted his control, taking the first hold of the set before breaking once again to take the set 3-1 and take the tie to a third and final set.
The Freeze couldn’t keep it up at the start of the third set however, as Wattimena recovered to take a 2-0 lead in the set and move to the brink of the second round. The Machine Gun couldn’t get over the line though, as Noppert broke straight back, before holding to force a last leg decider. In it, he produced a magical 158 out for one more break, securing the set 3-2 and edging past his fellow Dutchman 2-1.
ROUND 1 – MATCH 6: LUKE HUMPHRIES vs NATHAN ASPINALL
Next up was a matchup between two former Matchplay champions, 2024 champion Luke Humphries and 2023 champion Nathan Aspinall. Humphries started the match with a leg on throw, before the second leg produced a huge moment. Aspinall left himself on 170 to finish, and despite Humphries being relatively far behind, The Asp decided to go for it. He was successful, reeling in the big fish to level the tie. The set carried on in a pattern of holds, which allowed Cool Hand to take it 3-2.
There was another huge moment at the beginning of the second set. Aspinall was sitting pretty on 32 to take the opening leg, but Humphries produced a huge checkout of his own, a 156 to not only take the opening leg, but break The Asp’s throw. Cool Hand kicked on from there, winning the next two legs to whitewash the second set, and secure a comfortable 2-0 win.
ROUND 1 – MATCH 7: GARY ANDERSON vs RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD
Following that was a clash between two legends of the sport, two-time world champion Gary Anderson, and five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld. Barney started the match with a hold of throw, but it all went downhill from there. Anderson took the next three legs, which included a 115 out in leg two, to take the opening set 3-1.
Barney came out well in the second set, breaking then holding to go 2-0 up. Anderson prevented a set whitewash by taking leg three, but it was only delaying the inevitable. Barney took the next leg with a 109 out, which made the set score 1-1 and took the game all the way.
The deciding set began with four straight legs on throw, which meant the game was destined for a last leg decider. The Flying Scotsman got over the line, breaking to secure a 3-2 set win and a 2-1 win in the match.
ROUND 1 – MATCH 8: STEPHEN BUNTING vs NIKO SPRINGER
The action concluded with a match between Stephen Bunting and in-form German Niko Springer. The Bullet stormed through the first set, which included a lovely 130 out in leg two, to put him into the lead.
The second set began with a trade of breaks, before a trade of holds left the set locked at 2-2 and heading for a fifth leg. In it, Bunting had throw. He held his nerve to win the set 3-2 and come away from the final match of the night with a 2-0 win.