Her response is not quite the same as when a roaring crowd at Alexandra Palace reacts exultantly to the many faces of Mighty Mike during the PDC world championship – which starts on Thursday with Van Gerwen playing Joe Cullen. He later added: "There were a few days at the weekend when I wasn't 100 per cent sure but that's why I played. My specialist told if I played, I could make it worse. But if I played then I needed rest and when I played I needed to keep my arm moving smoothly and that's what I did. I have to give credit to Beau - she was the player in pot four that nobody wanted," said Aspinall, who was runner-up to Smith last year. It's hard enough averaging over 90 for one match of double-start darts - even in the first round - so for Michael van Gerwen to be at 93 after 15 sets across his four matches shows just how dominant he's been this week.

He says: “I didn’t want to lose that one. I had a big lead but then you start looking at the trophy and that’s the worst thing … but I pulled it out at the right time. That was my sweetest moment in life. Nothing beats becoming world champion unless, maybe, you do it a second or third time. I would love to catch Phil but it’s not going to happen. 16 world titles is amazing. I’m trying to win 10 but there are so many good players. When Phil was on top he was so above everyone else. Now, it’s much more competitive.” Smith, visit one As Smith’s first dart thunks into the treble-20 bed, the Ally Pally crowd begins to stir. By the time his third slams into the same spot – barely a second or so later – the sense of anticipation is palpable. Van Gerwen’s scoring has threatened to blow his opponent away but here is a sign that Smith – looking smooth and relaxed in his throw – is not going to be cowed. Michael wasn’t at his best today. He missed a couple of doubles and those crucial doubles have got to go in if you want to win tournaments. Aspinall keeps the match alive with a finish from 57 to complete an impressive 15-darter. Can he win two more to finally get a set on the board? I wouldn't be here if I wasn't feeling 100 per cent," said Van Gerwen. "If I thought I couldn't really compete at 100 per cent, there's no point being here."

Grand Slam of Darts results

Following the conclusion of the first round, the last 16 will take place across Wednesday October 4 and Thursday October 5, before the quarter-finals are staged on Friday October 6. To play against one of my idols, it’s like playing against Michael Jordan if you’re a basketball fan. I’m sure my phone is going to be blowing up after this!" Three-time Grand Slam champion Gerwyn Price swept aside Nathan Rafferty 5-1 in his Group D opener, in a contest which saw the pair trade spectacular 164 and 167 combination finishes.

Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you, may vary. In response to Van Gerwen’s comments, the PDC said in a statement on Tuesday evening: “We hope both Vincent and Michael remain in good health and share their disappointment that they were unable to continue in the tournament. We won’t comment on individual players’ circumstances and we continue to follow approved protocols at the World Darts Championship, which includes testing for all players involved in the event.” THEY’RE BOTH ON A NINE-DARTER AFTER SIX DARTS! I can’t keep up with this, it’s ridiculous. MvG misses D12 for a nine – and then Smith takes out T20, T19 and finally, gloriously, D12. What a leg! What a sport! What a pair of geniuses!I remember that first time against Phil in 2008. I had a chance to beat him but before you can know how to win the worlds you have to learn how to lose it.” Anderson celebrated his second ranking title of the year in Friday’s Players Championship 24, having produced a series of breath-taking displays throughout last week’s ProTour treble-header. All United Kingdom deliveries will be sent using Royal Mail with the exception of heavy items such as dartboards, these will be shipped using a reputable delivery service such as DPD or DHL. I am happy with my game at the moment, but this is a really tough event to win, and with the short format in the early rounds, you can’t afford to make any mistakes.

The 26th staging of the World Grand Prix will see reigning champion Michael van Gerwen headlining the 32-player field, which includes World Champion Michael Smith and 2020 winner Gerwyn Price. Women’s World Matchplay champion Greaves converted 101 and 124 finishes to seize the early initiative, but following a run of eight straight holds, Aspinall sank a nerveless 98 finish to deny Greaves a debut victory. The standard of darts from both players is extremely high right now and a wonderful visit of 171 from MVG leaves him 32, which he takes out for a classy 14-darter. Taylor remains his fiercest rival. “Definitely,” Van Gerwen says. “He’s always my main rival. But we both have a long way to go before this next final. They say the most difficult one to win is the first world title and I really hope it is because I’d like to become a three-time world champion in the next four or five years. But the aim now is to win the first round on Thursday, go to the horse racing at Ascot on Friday and home to Holland on Saturday.” Van Gerwen ends a very long wait for his third 180 to follow up visits of 120 and 140, but despite missing four darts at the outer ring, he eventually pins double nine with his last in hand to break Aspinall, who fluffed three of his own attempts.The Asp looks as though he's carved out a pressure-free dart at a double to break MVG until the Dutchman throws a 180 to leave himself 30 - but nevertheless he pins double 16 with his first attempt for a classy and nerveless 13 darter. I am defending money from winning the World Grand Prix two years ago, so let’s see how it goes,” said Clayton, whose father passed away just days after his run to July’s World Matchplay decider. On New Year’s Day 2014, in the final against Peter Wright, the Scot who favours a colourful Mohican and paints a snake on the side of his shaven head, Van Gerwen “was a huge favourite”. Aspinall's seventh 180 of the match is too late to save him in this leg, which van Gerwen takes in 15 darts to level the set and move closer to the finishing line again. In the other Group H tie, Damon Heta defeated Ricardo Pietreczko in similar fashion, producing a 150 skin-saver in the penultimate leg, before surviving a match dart from the German newcomer in a dramatic decider. Grand Slam of Darts results

When I was 4-0 down I just wanted to win a set and give him a bit of a game, and I did that. I wanted to make him win it, and he did. I did have tears after that game against Phil because I love darts,” Van Gerwen says earnestly. “I was desperate to win. It’s a tournament I’ve never won and, when you don’t show what you’re capable of, it hurts. Then a couple of tears fall because I don’t like losing – especially when you want to win a tournament and you know that you’re better than someone.” In the last two months, it’s all gone – all the stuff bout him being a bottler, all the fair comments about him being the best player never to win a major, then the best player never to win a world title. He’s at the top table now, and with his natural ability and newfound mental strength there’s every chance he’ll stay there for the next 15 years. Thanks for your company, goodnight! Smith, who defeated Nathan Aspinall to lift the Eric Bristow Trophy last year, averaged almost 99 to topple Scottish debutant Girvan and celebrate a 17th consecutive group stage victory at the Grand Slam. Van der Voort was then was forced to pull out ahead of his scheduled match against James Wade on Monday. Following Van Barneveld’s positive test, organisers insisted all necessary precautions were in place to safeguard players and fans at the event.Aspinall won't give up the ghost and holds his nerve on tops - with MVG also waiting on 40 - to hold his throw with a steady 16 darter. He really needs to win this set. Van Gerwen was left less than impressed by the turn of events, which follows on from his Dutch compatriot Vincent van der Voort having also tested positive and being forced into isolation. “Of course our health is the most important thing, but you are here to win the tournament,” Van Gerwen told the Dutch media outlet AD Sportwereld. “I never saw this coming. Vincent and I have been almost nowhere. We didn’t even go to the breakfast room [at the hotel], because we thought it was too busy there. A shy waitress explains that linguine is pasta and Van Gerwen’s brooding expression suddenly lights up. “OK,” he says. “Spaghetti bolognaise. I’ll have that. Soup and spaghetti bolognaise.” The final begins at around 1945 BST so between now and then we'll run through the routes to the final, tournament statistics, head-to-head records and some predictions. Gary Anderson is another former finalist in action on Monday, and the Scottish stalwart has been drawn against Portugal’s Jose de Sousa in an intriguing first round contest.