Saturday’s Grand Slam of Darts quarter-finals will see teenager Luke Littler take on Jermaine Wattimena and two-time former world champion Gary Anderson take on Jan van Veen.
One lineup for the semi-finals has already been decided for this tournament, and it is shockingly ranked 45th in the world. Martin Lukeman Challenge players competing in a Grand Slam for the first time Mickey Mansell.
Both players will be playing in their first major semi-final since Lukeman defeated last year’s runner-up Rob Cross, while 51-year-old Mansell scored a heartbreaking victory over Cameron Menzies.
So who will join Lukeman and Mansell in the top four?
Jermaine Wattimena vs Luke Littler
Teenage sensation Luke Littler won a thrilling last-16 battle with Mike Dedecker as Nuke won six of the final seven legs to shake off the World Grand Prix champion 10-9.
Littler’s victory over the Belgian sealed a place in the last eight with Jermaine Watimena after the Dutchman fought back to beat Dimitri van den Bergh in the deciding final leg.
Sky Sports” Wayne Mardle thinks 17-year-old Littler’s composure is “unusual” but believes De Dekker can one day lift the World Darts Championship despite heartbreaking defeat .
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Wayne Mardle praises Luke Littler’s calm as he fought back against Mike Dekker to reach Grand Slam of Darts quarter-finals
“Mike didn’t give up,” Mardle said. “An arrow aimed at a bull’s-eye could have been missed by anyone. But once Luke found his rhythm and got closer and closer, Mike didn’t think this was too much.” “I didn’t have it,” he said.
“Luke just did his job very well and to have that poise and that belief at that age is not normal. It’s not normal.
“What he did in the last leg, the triple-digit shots he had, three of them on the bounce, and then an 86 finish, 12 darts at nine all, “That’s what Mike Decker was supposed to do.” He had to leave at 9 o’clock. It was very good.
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Luke Littler dominates Mike DeDecker in the final three legs to advance to the Grand Slam quarterfinals
“But Mike Decker came out of this tournament with even more credit, even though he lost and is the reigning champion. He’s a potential world champion. He’s that good.”
Sky Sports” Mark Webster praised the Premier League champion’s character in his win over De Dekker.
“It was a great tie,” the Welshman said. “Decker came forward but missed a couple of doubles in important moments.”
“But you believe Luke Littler’s personality came back to him, and when he got the opportunity to pitch in a game, he really grabbed it.
“It was a little hopeless for Dedecker. He had one dart on the double. It was just a target, but he can keep his head high. But it was a great performance for Luke Littler. .”
Gary Anderson vs Jan Van Veen
Saturday’s other quarter-final will see the experienced Anderson, playing in his 17th Grand Slam, take on the in-form Van Veen, a match that Mardle described as “fascinating”.
The 22-year-old has averaged over 100 in four of his wins, including an average of 106 and a high of 7 in his last 16 fights against Ryan Joyce.
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Jan van Veen defeats Ryan Joyce to advance to Grand Slam of Darts quarter-finals with 9-2 win
According to Mardle, the Dutchman’s hot performance was “something that will win the championship” and he thinks he looks “untouchable”.
“Until someone wins a major, there’s always that question mark of, ‘Are they good enough to win a major?'” Mardle said. He’s already proven game after game that he’s good enough to win a championship.
“If he keeps playing like this, nobody’s going to come close to him. The fact that he’s so good means if he keeps playing like this he’s going to win.”
“He’s the only one who seems untouchable. Everyone else has some weakness at some point or another. That didn’t happen with Jan van Veen. What he’s doing is great. .”
The 51-year-old said: “I think the match between Jan van Veen and Gary Anderson is fascinating.
“What on earth would happen if Jan van Veen played like this again?” No, Jan Van Veen is one of those young people who believes he can rule the world, so why not? ”
But Anderson, who defeated Masters champion Stephen Bunting in the last 16, is twice runner-up at the tournament and hopes to stay on course to stop Van Veen and win his first Grand Slam title. There will be.
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Gary Anderson beats Stephen Bunting 10-6 to advance to Grand Slam quarterfinals
“It’s kind of a tie,” Webster said. “I’ve been impressed with both players in different ways. Obviously with Gian, he just kept scoring those stupid goals and bringing players to their knees. ” he said.
“He did it in the group, so we were like, ‘Okay, it’s 1-on-5.’ You have to start taking men seriously.”
“But in Gary Anderson’s case, he did some damage with his finishing, so he’s going to need that against the Giants, but he’s got to score with him, otherwise those opportunities You won’t get it.”
Darts Grand Slam will survive sky sports
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Saturday, November 16th 7pm
The final two quarter-finals of the 2024 Grand Slam of Darts will be held on Saturday.
Luke Littler will take on Jermaine Wattimena, while Gary Anderson and Jan Van Veen will face off.
Watch our live coverage starting at 7 p.m. sky sports main evenand sky sports+.
