BoyleSports Grand Slam of Darts – Day 4 Review

Adrian Lewis made a rousing comeback to defeat Jim Williams in their BoyleSports Grand Slam of Darts decider as the group stage concluded in Wolverhampton on Tuesday.

Two-time World Champion Lewis was staring defeat in the face as Welsh ace Williams – the BDO World Trophy champion – took a 3-1 lead in their winner-takes-all Group A contest.

However, Lewis produced checkouts of 86 and 75 to level the contest, punishing Williams for failing to give himself a dart at a double when needing 90 in leg seven before sealing the win with a 113 checkout.

Lewis joined Michael van Gerwen in progressing from Group A, with the Dutchman turning on the style to claim a third straight win of the round-robin phase.

World Champion van Gerwen followed up victories over Williams and Lewis with his best performance of the week so far at the Aldersley Leisure Village, averaging 111.38 to see off Smith.

Van Gerwen now plays Ian White in round two on Thursday, after the Stoke ace secured progression from the group stage for the first time with a 5-4 defeat of Wesley Harms in their Group B decider.

James Wade went through alongside White from Group B despite losing 5-4 to Steve Lennon, who exits the tournament on Leg Difference.

Reigning champion Gerwyn Price stormed into the second round with a superb 5-2 win over Dimitri Van den Bergh, securing top spot in Group C.

Robert Thornton joined Price in qualifying from Group C as the former Wolverhampton finalist continued his renaissance with a 5-3 win over Japan’s Mikuru Suzuki.

Darren Webster secured qualification from Group D alongside Gary Anderson with a 5-4 win over the Scot, averaging 100.86 as both players progress to the last 16.

Dave Parletti ended the event with his first televised victory, defeating William O’Connor 5-2 to end the Irish star’s hopes in the other Group D tie.

The second round begins on Wednesday with the opening four matches, including the huge fixture between world number two Rob Cross and 2017 Grand Slam runner-up Peter Wright.

World Championship finalist Michael Smith meets Daryl Gurney, while Lakeside Champion Glen Durrant takes on Germany’s Gabriel Clemens and former Grand Slam runner-up Dave Chisnall plays qualifier Ryan Harrington.