Michael van Gerwen and Michael Smith join the high-profile names to be dumped out of the Grand Slam of Darts in the group stage.
Michael van Gerwen and Michael Smith are the latest high-profile names to be dumped out of the Grand Slam of Darts.
In the opposite side of the draw, world number one and defending Luke Humphries along with Peter Wright had already been eliminated before Tuesday night’s play.
Van Gerwen and Smith – two former winners of the event in Wolverhampton – have now joined them in missing out on a place in the last 16.
Ryan Joyce was responsible for disposing of Van Gerwen, the recent World Grand Prix semi-finalist withstanding a comeback from his more illustrious opponent before taking out 80 to prevail by a 5-4 scoreline.
After that deciding contest in Group C, Mike Decker delivered in another must-win fixture in Group E as he majestically whitewashed Smith.
To make matters worse for the Englishman, he did not have a single shot at a double at the World Grand Prix champion prolonged his recent form.
Littler misses nine-darter
Luke Littler maintained his 100% record with a 5-3 win over Lawrence Ilaganmissing double 12 for a nine-dart leg to confirm victory.
Elsewhere in Group F, Dimitri van den Bergh thrashed Keane Barry by a 5-1 scoreline to finish as runner-up, setting up a last-16 clash with Jermaine Wattimena.
In the final match of the night, Stephen Bunting averaged 103.42 in beating Josh Rock by a 5-2 scoreline, setting up a showdown with Gary Anderson.
Last-16 draw in full
James Wade vs. Cameron Menzies
Danny Noppert vs. Mickey Mansell
Martin Lukeman vs. Ross Smith
Ritchie Edhouse vs. Rob Cross
Jermaine Wattimena vs. Dimitri van den Bergh
Luke Littler vs. Mike De Decker
Gary Anderson vs. Stephen Bunting
Gian van Veen vs. Ryan Joyce
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