Winmau MvG Diamond Edition Dartboard

Product Information

In response to Van Gerwen’s comments, the PDC said in a statement on Tuesday evening: “We hope both Vincent and Michael remain in good health and share their disappointment that they were unable to continue in the tournament. We won’t comment on individual players’ circumstances and we continue to follow approved protocols at the World Darts Championship, which includes testing for all players involved in the event.” I have to give credit to Beau - she was the player in pot four that nobody wanted," said Aspinall, who was runner-up to Smith last year. He's been phenomenal all week but I never gave in. It's another final and I'm very happy." MICHAEL VAN GERWEN ROLL OF HONOUR Van Gerwen was, then, still working as a part-time tiler in Holland. One of the internet’s typically overblown stories claims he tiled Dennis Berkgamp’s bathroom. “That’s not true,” Van Gerwen says. “I did the tiling at a house across the road from Bergkamp. But, sure, it was a very posh area. I was 18 and working two days a week. It’s different today. I own two houses and, well, I’m married to Daphne. We’ve been together seven years. She was only 14 when we met, and I was nearly 18. They had a music evening and she was with her parents. I asked if I could watch a movie with her. Life has changed since then because darts has got really big.”

Elsewhere, two-time runner-up Dave Chisnall begins his bid against debutant Luke Woodhouse, having warmed up for this year’s event by winning two ranking titles within the last week. Taylor remains his fiercest rival. “Definitely,” Van Gerwen says. “He’s always my main rival. But we both have a long way to go before this next final. They say the most difficult one to win is the first world title and I really hope it is because I’d like to become a three-time world champion in the next four or five years. But the aim now is to win the first round on Thursday, go to the horse racing at Ascot on Friday and home to Holland on Saturday.” Following the conclusion of the first round, the last 16 will take place across Wednesday October 4 and Thursday October 5, before the quarter-finals are staged on Friday October 6.

Grand Slam of Darts results

Beau completely outscored me in that match. She was fantastic; she's a credit to the women’s game and a credit to darts as a whole." It is hard enough to win a ProTour, never mind a TV tournament, but I believe it is going to come one day, and hopefully it comes this week.

Luke is a good player. I helped him qualify last week by beating Scott Williams [in Budapest], but I’m just going to relax and play the board, not the player.” I am defending money from winning the World Grand Prix two years ago, so let’s see how it goes,” said Clayton, whose father passed away just days after his run to July’s World Matchplay decider. It is phenomenal - Peter Wright's a two-time World Champion. He is a big inspiration for me, hence the [colourful] attire. THEY’RE BOTH ON A NINE-DARTER AFTER SIX DARTS! I can’t keep up with this, it’s ridiculous. MvG misses D12 for a nine – and then Smith takes out T20, T19 and finally, gloriously, D12. What a leg! What a sport! What a pair of geniuses!

Smith, visit one As Smith’s first dart thunks into the treble-20 bed, the Ally Pally crowd begins to stir. By the time his third slams into the same spot – barely a second or so later – the sense of anticipation is palpable. Van Gerwen’s scoring has threatened to blow his opponent away but here is a sign that Smith – looking smooth and relaxed in his throw – is not going to be cowed. Anderson celebrated his second ranking title of the year in Friday’s Players Championship 24, having produced a series of breath-taking displays throughout last week’s ProTour treble-header. The first half of the match was an exhilarating ding-dong, the second a largely one-sided exhibition. Van Gerwen was below his best, with his average dropping just below 100 for the first time in the tournament, but the main reason for that was the relentless pressure he was under because of Smith’s scoring.

You don’t need to know much about darts when watching Van Gerwen to sense a rare talent at work. He still only has one world championship to compare to Phil Taylor’s imperious 16 titles, but not even the greatest darts player in history can match the surreal euphoria generated by Mighty Mike. All international deliveries will be sent using Royal Mail with the exception of heavy items such as dartboards, these will be shipped using a reputable delivery service such as DPD or DHL.World number one Smith and Welsh star Price will take centre stage on Monday night, with Smith up against Newcastle’s Callan Rydz, while Price faces 2021 semi-finalist Danny Noppert.