Summary:
- Michael Smith reached the last 16 with a 5–2 win over Alex Spellman.
- Luke Humphries’ 5–3 win over Nathan Aspinall secured his top spot in Group A.
- Gerwyn Price, Martin Schindler, Jurjen van der Velde, and Chris Dobey also progressed.
Michael Smith’s comeback story at the Grand Slam of Darts 2025 is still alive after he fought his way into the last 16 with a 5–2 win over Alex Spellman. His victory, combined with Luke Humphries’ 5–3 defeat of Nathan Aspinall, sealed Smith’s place in the knockout stages and ended Aspinall’s tournament.
Smith: “I’m Just Happy to Be Back.”
It’s been a determined run for the St Helens native, who’s been dealing with a string of injuries just to make it back on stage.
I just want to be ready for the worlds, and I just want to be happy again playing darts. I think you have seen now, I’m not playing the greatest, but I’m just happy to be back.
Smith’s path hasn’t been smooth. He opened the group with a win over Aspinall but then fell to Humphries, who threw a perfect nine-darter in their match.
Against Spellman, Smith showed his fight, breaking throw three times to secure the win, before watching nervously as his fate rested on Humphries’ final game.
For Aspinall, the math was simple but brutal, as he needed to win 5–2 or better to progress. Humphries, on the other hand, only needed one leg to move on, and three to send Smith through with him.
The world number one didn’t waste any time. He opened with a 10-darter and a sharp 129 checkout and immediately went up 2–0, forcing Aspinall to win five straight legs. The task proved too much, and, eventually, Humphries closed it out 5–3, topping Group A and sending Smith into the next round.
Reflecting on his journey, Michael Smith added:
You don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow, I could get on another scooter and do my left arm… I’ve got to learn to do different things now, and it happens, but I’m hoping it’s the start to a fresh beginning now.
Group Results
Elsewhere, three-time Grand Slam champion Gerwyn Price stormed into the last 16, dismantling Stefan Bellmont 5–1 to top Group D.
Martin Schindler advanced for the first time in his career after beating Alexis Toylo 5–2, while Luke Woodhouse claimed top spot in the same group by edging Stephen Bunting in another tight finish.
In Group B, World Youth runner-up Jurjen van der Velde didn’t let his dream debut dim down, scoring a 5–3 win over Damon Heta. Chris Dobey won the group with a dominant 5–1 victory over Martin Lukeman and will next meet Smith in what promises to be a thrilling last-16 clash.
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