Rob Cross wins 10 legs in a row to defeat Damon Heta whereas Stephen Bunting ends Stowe Buntz’s goals in Wolverhampton; Watch the seventeenth staging of the Grand Slam of Darts on the WV Active Aldersley – stay on Sky Sports
Last Updated: 18/11/23 11:10pm
Rob Cross defeated Damon Heta to achieve the Grand Slam of Darts semi-finals in Wolverhampton on Saturday evening
An aesthetic efficiency from Rob Cross set up a semi-final showdown with Stephen Bunting on the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton.
Cross, the 2018 World Champion, ran away with his quarter-final match with Australian No 1 Damon Heta after claiming 10 legs in a row from 6-6 to win, whereas an in-form Bunting defeated American newcomer Stowe Buntz 16-8.
Grand Slam of Darts: Saturday’s Quarter-Finals
| Stowe Buntz | 8-16 | Stephen Bunting |
| Damon Heta | 6-16 | Rob Cross |
Watch the second Cross reached the Grand Slam semi-finals for first time in his profession
There will likely be a brand new identify on the Eric Bristow Trophy in 2023, and Cross continued his bid for a fifth premier TV title with a complete victory over Heta.
“Unfortunately Damon didn’t play how he could,” admitted Cross, who averaged 98 and pinned 46 per cent of his makes an attempt at double to cap off one other excellent efficiency.
“I was averaging 97 at one stage and I didn’t even feel like I had turned up yet. In my head it was horrific! I couldn’t find that first dart.
“I wasn’t comfortable with my efficiency at the beginning, however I’ll take the win, wake up tomorrow and it is a completely different day.
“Having the semi-finals and final in one day is going to be tough. I’ve never experienced it before so I can’t say I’ve had that luxury, but I feel in a really good place with my game.”
Cross prolonged his lead over Heta with this 116 end
Heta’s mixture ending was a characteristic of his last-16 victory towards Michael van Gerwen on Thursday, and he continued from the place he left off in the early exchanges towards ‘Voltage’.
The former World Cup winner landed 120, 64 and 72 checkouts because the opening six legs have been shared, though Cross seized the initiative on the second interval, producing a well timed 12-darter to determine a 6-4 buffer.
When he wakes up in the morning and realises it is everlasting marker…. Heta indicators a fan’s head throughout his walk-on
Heta hit again to revive parity, however Cross punished a mid-game droop from the Australian to grab management, following a run of three straight legs with 116 and 89 checkouts to stretch his result in 11-6.
Cross continued his relentless march in direction of victory as Heta’s sport unravelled, and the Hastings thrower prolonged his profitable run to 10 legs to ease via to his first Grand Slam semi-final.
The 2018 World Champion will now tackle Bunting for a spot in Sunday night’s decider, after the Merseyside man produced an excellent show of doubling to finish Buntz’s exceptional marketing campaign.
The American debutant gained the pair’s Group E tussle final weekend, however Bunting avenged that consequence in some model, changing 62 per cent of his makes an attempt at double to interrupt new floor in Wolverhampton.
Bunting made it via to the semi-finals of the Grand Slam after beating Stowe Buntz
“It means the world,” mirrored the 38-year-old, who averaged 96 and crashed in six maximums to win via to his first premier televised semi-final since October 2021.
“There were some nerves tonight. I was a heavy favourite going into that game, and I still didn’t know what to expect from Stowe.
“I mentioned to him on the finish of the match, he is a pal now. We’ve had two video games on the stage, and I want him all the perfect for the World Championship and the remainder of his profession.
“I’ve been putting in a lot of effort behind the scenes, but I couldn’t do it without the crowd cheering me on. I really appreciate the support and I cannot wait for the semi-finals now.”
Bunting turned on the model with finishes of 101 and 126
Buntz missed darts at double for 147, 106 and 146 mixtures in the early exchanges, and Bunting – aided by back-to-back 13-darters – capitalised to race into an early 4-1 lead.
The CDC Continental Cup champion responded to stage at 6-6, however Bunting all of a sudden discovered his vary halfway via the competition, profitable seven of the subsequent eight legs to grab management at 13-7.
Bunting’s 12-dart break of throw in leg 14 supplied the spark, and he transformed scientific 93, 101, 126 and 97 finishes throughout a blistering spell to maneuver to the cusp of a spot in the semi-finals.
The former Lakeside champion fired in one other 12-darter on the bull to increase his result in 14-7, and he continued the procession to finish Buntz’s record-breaking run.
Grand Slam of Darts: Sunday’s Semi-Final Fixtures
| James Wade | vs | Luke Humphries |
| Stephen Bunting | vs | Rob Cross |
What’s occurring on Sunday on the Grand Slam?
Luke Humphries will tackle James Wade in the primary semi-final on Sunday afternoon
Sunday on the Grand Slam of Darts sees the semi-finals and remaining going down on a bumper day of motion.
Three-time finalist James Wade and Luke Humphries, who lifted TV silverware for the primary time at October’s World Grand Prix, will meet in the primary semi-final.
Wade defeated Josh Rock 16-15 in dramatic style, whereas Humphries beat Gary Anderson 16-14 on an unforgettable evening of motion.
And then four-time main winner Cross meets former Lakeside champion Bunting for a spot in the night’s showpiece, with a £150,000 prime prize on provide to the eventual champion.
Wayne Mardle previews Sunday’s Grand Slam of Darts semi-finals
When are the World Championships?
The World Championship begins on Friday December 15 – stay on Sky Sports Darts
The sport’s largest occasion will likely be held from December 15, 2023 to January 3, 2024 as 96 gamers compete for the Sid Waddell Trophy and £2.5m in prize cash at Alexandra Palace.
You can watch all of the motion stay on our devoted Sky Sports Darts channel.
Watch the seventeenth staging of the Grand Slam of Darts on the Aldersley Leisure Village. Stream your favorite sports activities and extra with NOW
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