2024 Grand Slam of Darts: Rob Cross and James Wade Among Last-16 Qualifiers

Day three of the 2024 Grand Slam of Darts at the Aldersley Leisure Village in Wolverhampton delivered more thrilling upsets, with the first eight players securing their spots in the last-16 as the group stage concluded.

In the opening match of the night, world number one Luke Humphries stepped onto the stage with only pride at stake, having already been eliminated from the tournament after back-to-back losses to Rowby-John Rodriguez and James Wade. 

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland’s Micky Mansell had already secured his place in the last-16. Although a win wasn’t essential, topping Group A on his Grand Slam debut would have been a remarkable achievement for the Clonoe Cyclone.

However, it wasn’t to be, as Humphries dispatched Mansell 5-1 with ease. Despite the defeat, Mansell still advanced, with the reigning world champion already out of contention.

Image credit: PDC

The next match between Dave Chisnall and Ritchie Edhouse followed a similar pattern, with European champion Edhouse already assured of a place in the next round, while Chisnall was set to head home regardless of the outcome. 

Edhouse wasted no time, defeating an out-of-form Chisnall 5-2 to secure the top spot in Group D.

As a result of the previous match, Danny Noppert secured his place in the next round, leaving Schindler needing at least three legs to overcome Menzies for a spot in the last-16.

The drama reached a fever pitch, with Menzies watching anxiously, his head in his hands. 

Schindler missed two darts at double that would have sealed his progression, and the missed opportunity allowed Menzies to snatch the second spot in Group B, with Noppert cruising to a 5-2 win. 

As a result of the previous match, Danny Noppert secured his place in the next round, leaving Schindler needing at least three legs to overcome Menzies for a spot in the last-16.

The drama reached a fever pitch, with Menzies watching anxiously, his head in his hands. 

Schindler missed two darts at double that would have sealed his progression, and the missed opportunity allowed Menzies to snatch the second spot in Group B, with Noppert cruising to a 5-2 win. 

With Micky Mansell already through to the last-16, the battle for the second spot in Group A came down to multiple-time PDC major winner James Wade and Austria’s Rowby-John Rodriguez, with the winner assured of a place in the next round.

While the match didn’t provide fireworks, Wade did what he does best, defeating Rodriguez 5-1 to top the group. The victory set up a last-16 showdown against Menzies.

After a nearly flawless start to the competition, Martin Lukeman needed just one leg to secure his place in the next round. Meanwhile, his opponent, American Leonard Gates, required a dominant victory to edge ahead of fourth seed Rob Cross.

Lukeman wasted no time, sealing his progression with a stunning 123 three-dart checkout in the very first leg. Gates fought back, but it wasn’t enough. Lukeman clinched a 5-3 victory to top Group C, effectively ending Gates' tournament hopes.

Lukeman’s victory over Gates gave two-time world champion Peter Wright a slim chance of keeping his tournament hopes alive, but he needed to defeat Rob Cross by at least four legs to advance to the next round.

Wright’s struggles continued early in the match as Cross took a 2-1 lead, cancelling Snakebite’s chances of survival. 

Cross went on to win 5-1, putting Wright out of his misery.

Voltage will face recent European champion Ritchie Edhouse in the next round.