Darts
2024 Grand Slam of Darts: Cross, Menzies, Lukeman and Mansell into the Quarterfinals
Rob Cross, Cameron Menzies, Martin Lukeman and Mickey Mansell all sealed their places in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Grand Slam of Darts.
After a thrilling and upset-filled group stage at the 2024 Grand Slam of Darts, the drama continued as the tournament reached the last 16 at WV Active in Wolverhampton.
The early exits of the world’s top three players, Luke Humphries, Michael Smith, and Michael van Gerwen, set the stage for yet another unpredictable showdown in this PDC televised ranking event.
With just 16 players now vying for the prestigious £150,000 winner's prize, the race to the finish has intensified, promising more unforgettable moments on the oche.
Mansell Freezes Noppert to Reach First Televised PDC Quarterfinal
The lowest-ranked player left in the 2024 Grand Slam of Darts, Micky Mansell, took to the stage after a stunning run that saw him top Group A, a quartet that included defending champion Luke Humphries.
Facing former UK Open champion Danny Noppert, Mansell entered as the underdog against one of only four seeded players remaining in the tournament.
Noppert started strong, racing to a 2-0 lead with a blistering pace. But the match took a dramatic turn as Mansell found his groove, unleashing an incredible streak to win the next six legs in the race to 10. The Northern Irishman’s three-dart average surged past 103, showcasing his exceptional form.
Even though Noppert held his own with a ton-plus average, he found himself unable to stem the relentless onslaught, as the 51-year-old gave him no breathing room.
Heading into the second mini-break, Noppert managed to halt Mansell’s momentum slightly, pulling back two legs to narrow the gap to 6-4.
The Clonoe Cyclone proved unshakeable, and a brilliant 117 checkout extended his lead to 8-5, leaving Noppert with a mountain to climb.
Despite a late fightback that saw the Dutchman win two more legs, Mansell remained composed, eventually sealing a 10-7 victory.
This triumph secured Mansell’s place in the quarterfinals of an individual televised PDC event for the first time in his long career, capping off an impressive performance on the Wolverhampton stage.
Cameron Menzies Pipe Dream Continues
James Wade entered his last-16 clash at the 2024 Grand Slam of Darts seeking his third televised ranking quarterfinal of the season. His opponent, Cameron Menzies, was aiming to break new ground, having never reached that stage of a PDC major before.
Remarkably, the Scottish thrower revealed he had worked a half-day plumbing shift in Milton Keynes, clocking out at 12:30 before heading back to the West Midlands for the match. Despite being a top 40 player globally, Menzies refuses to give up his trade, citing that plumbing helps him stay mentally grounded.
In contrast, Wade has been a full-time professional since 2004, highlighting the different paths both players have taken to reach this point.
The match was tightly contested through the first two mini-sessions, with Wade grabbing a narrow edge. Locked at 4-4, Wade then found his rhythm, taking two consecutive legs to lead 6-4.
Menzies showed incredible resilience and refused to let Wade pull away. The Scot produced a brilliant surge, winning five of the next six legs to turn the match on its head and lead 8-7.
Wade, known as “The Machine,” struck back with a stunning 124 checkout to level the score, but Menzies quickly replied with a 113 finish, putting himself one leg away from his first-ever televised quarterfinal.
The drama intensified as Menzies missed his first match dart, and then two more, before finally hitting double 20 to seal a thrilling victory, securing the night’s second major upset.
Image credit: PDC
Lukeman Extends the Night of Shocking Upsets
Former European Champion Ross Smith faced off against Martin Lukeman, who was aiming to secure his third career appearance in a televised ranking quarterfinal.
In yet another high-scoring battle of the night, the two players were evenly matched early on. Lukeman, the lower-ranked contender, edged both of the first two mini-sessions, leading 3-2 each time and eventually extending his advantage to 6-4.
The second half of the match turned into a one-sided affair. Smith could only manage to claim one more leg as Lukeman powered through, winning five of the next six legs to secure a dominant and seemingly effortless victory, at 10-5. The result continued an evening filled with stunning upsets.
Cross Powers Past Edhouse
In the final match of the evening, recent European Champion Ritchie Edhouse faced off against the highest-ranked player remaining in the tournament, number four seed Rob Cross.
The match started with fireworks as Cross set the stage alight with a brilliant 164 checkout on the bullseye. Despite the impressive finish, Edhouse managed to edge out the first mini session, leading 3-2.
But in classic Cross style, he took control in the next session, winning four of the five legs to charge into a 6-4 lead. A spectacular 160 checkout, followed by a third ton-plus finish at 110, extended his advantage to 8-4, leaving him just two legs away from the quarterfinals.
Cross continued his dominant form, sealing a convincing 10-4 victory over Edhouse and securing his place in the last eight of the 2024 Grand Slam of Darts.
Recommended Articles
Meet Louis Hobbs, our esteemed authority on all matters sports-related. With a wealth of knowledge and experience, Louis effortlessly emerges as our go-to expert. His particular expertise in the realms of darts and snooker sets him apart and brings a level of insight that goes beyond the ordinary. Louis also holds a deep affection for all things related to US sports, with a special emphasis on basketball and American football, which stand out as his particular favorites. His content may not resonate with you, if you don't consider Lamar Jackson the most skilled player in the NFL.