European Darts Grand Prix 2015: Scores, Results, Updated Schedule After Saturday
Top seed Michael van Gerwen crashed out of the European Darts Grand Prix 2015 to Mensur Suljovic 6-4 on Saturday as the seeded players entered the fray.
Raymond van Barneveld progressed with a 6-1 victory over eighth seed Brendan Dolan, while No. 2 seed Michael Smith and third seed James Wade both booked places in the last 16 as they recorded 6-3 victories.
Here are the results from Saturday's enthralling action and a recap of the key matches:
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| Afternoon Session | ||
| Brendan Dolan (8) | 1-6 | Raymond van Barneveld |
| Terry Jenkins (12) | 4-6 | Lee Evans |
| Mervyn King (16) | 6-2 | Jeffrey de Zwaan |
| Justin Pipe (10) | 5-6 | Steve Beaton |
| Kim Huybrechts (7) | 6-4 | Dave Ladley |
| Ian White (5) | 6-3 | Mickey Mansell |
| Benito van de Pas (15) | 3-6 | Gerwyn Price |
| Jelle Klaasen (11) | 6-4 | David Pallett |
| Evening Session | ||
| Dave Chisnall (9) | 2-6 | Joe Cullen |
| James Wade (3) | 6-3 | Mark Webster |
| Simon Whitlock (14) | 6-4 | Jamie Caven |
| Michael Smith (2) | 6-3 | Dean Winstanley |
| Robert Thornton (6) | 6-5 | Jonny Clayton |
| Michael van Gerwen (1) | 4-6 | Mensur Suljovic |
| Vincent van der Voort (13) | 4-6 | Stephen Bunting |
| Peter Wright (4) | 6-3 | Jermaine Wattimena |
| Third Round | James Wade v Simon Whitlock |
| Robert Thornton v Jelle Klaasen | |
| Kim Huybrechts v Steve Beaton | |
| Michael Smith v Gerwyn Price | |
| Peter Wright v Stephen Bunting | |
| Ian White v Lee Evans | |
| Raymond van Barneveld v Joe Cullen | |
| Mensur Suljovic v Mervyn King | |
| Quarter-Finals | |
| Semi-Finals | |
| Final |
Saturday Recap
Van Barneveld kicked off the afternoon session and wasted no time in comprehensively demolishing Dolan.
A 180 and a 72-checkout saw the Dutchman swiftly take the lead. Two breaks and a further two holds including a 14-darter and a second 180 allowed him to rack up a 5-0 lead.
Dolan finished on 70 to pull back a consolation leg, but Barney ensured any slim hopes of a comeback were exterminated as he finished with another 14-darter.
Ominously, Van Barneveld does not even believe he's in top form yet, per Live Darts:
Mark Webster lived with James Wade for large parts of their match, but the third seed's quality eventually told.
The 32-year-old kicked off the scoring with a 70-finish, while Webster finished on double-one to hold on his throw.
The pair continued to exchange holds to make it 3-3 with Webster holding his nerve as he made a composed 74-finish.
Wade crucially broke his opponent in the seventh leg as he magnificently finished on a 96, and from there, a straightforward hold was enough to see him through to the round of 16.
Live Darts shared Wade's impressive stats, for which the Englishman cited his hard work in training:
Unlike Wade, Van Gerwen fell victim to a stunning upset at the hands of Suljovic. The Dutchman put in a strong performance but was ultimately outdone by some magnificent darts from the Austrian.
Suljovic began with intent as he hit a 180 and finished from 102, but he was immediately broken by the world No. 1.
Three consecutive legs including a 121-checkout for the 43-year-old gave him a commanding 5-3 lead. Van Gerwen pulled one back to keep his hopes alive, but the more ruthless Suljovic was a deserved winner in the end.
PDC Darts shared the incredible stats, which on another day would likely have seen Van Gerwen win with ease:
Suljovic's confidence will be sky-high after his career-best win over Van Gerwen, though it will be a huge ask for him to replicate his performance against Mervyn King.
With Van Gerwen knocked out, the competition has been blown wide open—which should ensure a thrilling final day of the Grand Prix on Sunday.
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