Wade Can Improve at Grand Slam of Darts

James Wade has been far from his best at this week’s Grand Slam of Darts but still finds himself in the quarter-finals this Saturday lunchtime.

Wade booked his place in the last eight by edging a 10-9 thriller against Mervyn King in the round of 16 on Thursday evening. Having looked comfortable and in control of his game throughout the middle stages of the match he struggled to keep up with King when he upped the ante as the finishing line drew closer. However, when King missed double 4 for the match ‘The Machine’ stepped in to snatch the lifeline that he had been offered.

Now he faces Terry Jenkins who showed all his battling qualities to fight back and beat Tony O’Shea in the second round, despite losing the opening session 4-1. The quarter-finals are a best-of-31 affair meaning stamina and consistency are key attributes required to progress.

Wade is available to back at a similar price as he was against King with most bookmakers offering odds around the 1/2 mark. ‘The Bull’ is generally available at the reciprocal.

The afternoon’s other quarter-final fixture is between local lad Wayne Jones and one of the most impressive players in the tournament to date Gary Anderson. The two met each other in the group stages and after a slow start from the Scotsman he powered to a 5-2 victory.

Jones didn’t play to the best of his ability when beating Robert Thornton in the second round but believes he has plenty more in his locker for the latter stages

"I feel like I'm on the verge of throwing a high average on stage and have to go up there and do it now. I can't wait for the quarter-finals on Saturday," said ‘The Wanderer’.

Anderson, on the other hand, will be hoping for more of the same. He began his round-of-16 match against Colin Osborne with impeccable accuracy on the doubles, usually his Achilles heel, and the early momentum carried him through to a comfortable win.

The Scot’s early tournament form coupled with his emphatic victory over his opponent in the group stages has given the bookmakers plenty of reason to make him the 2/5 favourite. However, Anderson can be susceptible to hostility from the crowd and he is certain to experience some antagonism when up against the local favourite. This one may not be a walk in the park for Anderson.