Winmau MvG Diamond Edition Dartboard

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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.

Van Gerwen couldn't find a maximum in the sixth leg but was far enough clear to at last take his eye off the ball, leaving 32 with three darts in hand and needing all of them, the only blemishes on an impressive scorecard. 'It's like playing against Michael Jordan'

I remember that first time against Phil in 2008. I had a chance to beat him but before you can know how to win the worlds you have to learn how to lose it.”

He says: “I didn’t want to lose that one. I had a big lead but then you start looking at the trophy and that’s the worst thing … but I pulled it out at the right time. That was my sweetest moment in life. Nothing beats becoming world champion unless, maybe, you do it a second or third time. I would love to catch Phil but it’s not going to happen. 16 world titles is amazing. I’m trying to win 10 but there are so many good players. When Phil was on top he was so above everyone else. Now, it’s much more competitive.” Smith, who defeated Nathan Aspinall to lift the Eric Bristow Trophy last year, averaged almost 99 to topple Scottish debutant Girvan and celebrate a 17th consecutive group stage victory at the Grand Slam. He only dipped fractionally below 90 once in a 2-0 win over Gary Anderson while he came agonisingly close to posting his fifth World Grand Prix 100+ average ever during an absolute masterclass against Chris Dobey. He later added: "There were a few days at the weekend when I wasn't 100 per cent sure but that's why I played. My specialist told if I played, I could make it worse. But if I played then I needed rest and when I played I needed to keep my arm moving smoothly and that's what I did. Van Gerwen replied with another leg but the deficit was too much to recover as Price finally finished things off to claim his eighth Euro Tour title.

International Open results

Two-time winner James Wade – one of five former champions in the field – is also part of a stellar opening night line-up, as he takes on Poland’s premier player Krzysztof Ratajski. It should be a fantastic game against Josh. He is a phenomenal player,” claimed Van Gerwen, a winner of the World Grand Prix in 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2022. There was an electric atmosphere in the Empress Ballroom for this highly anticipated match-up and it was the 2021 world champion Price who raced off to lead 4-0. Gary Anderson is another former finalist in action on Monday, and the Scottish stalwart has been drawn against Portugal’s Jose de Sousa in an intriguing first round contest. Her response is not quite the same as when a roaring crowd at Alexandra Palace reacts exultantly to the many faces of Mighty Mike during the PDC world championship – which starts on Thursday with Van Gerwen playing Joe Cullen.

People used to say I couldn’t hit doubles, but when I go into this tournament I seem to hit my starting double pretty well. The pair exchange 180s midway through this leg to get the crowd on their feet but it's MVG who takes the leg with a superb 13-darter to level the set.Fantastic from Aspinall, who takes out 89 with single 19, treble 20 and double five to deny MVG a chance to finish 44 following a pressurising visits of 140, 139 and 140. 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. When I was 4-0 down I just wanted to win a set and give him a bit of a game, and I did that. I wanted to make him win it, and he did.

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. I think I’m due a big title with the way I’m playing,” admitted Chisnall, who followed up his Hungarian Darts Trophy victory with ProTour success in Barnsley on Thursday. All United Kingdom 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.That was a great win,” Van Gerwen says, “especially as all the pressure was on me as the new world champion. Phil was a bit off that day but I played really well. In the early days against Phil, I lost eight in a row. But the first time I played Phil on TV I beat him in Holland 3-0. In television matches he’s 9-7 up. That shows we’re close in the big matches. We have a great rivalry and we like to play each other.” Price, the new world number one, missed five doubles in the 21st leg and the Premier League of Darts champion Van Gerwen capitalised to break throw and then levelled the match for the first time at 12-12.