Watch Josh Rock hit a stunning nine-darter against Michael van Gerwen at the Grand Slam of Darts

Josh Rock hit a sensational nine-darter against Michael van Gerwen at the Grand Slam of Darts to underline his status as the brightest new star of the sport.

The 21-year-old from Northern Ireland, who was largely unknown when he won a Tour Card on the final day of Qualifying School back in January, has enjoyed a stunning debut season in the PDC but this moment of perfection will see him shoot further to stardom quicker than anyone could have imagined.

Rock managed the feat in the second leg of his eager-anticipated second-round tie with van Gerwen and although his celebrations led to him temporarily injuring his foot, it didn’t really affect him for the rest of a landmark match which will be talked about for many years to come.

It was his second nine-darter of the season having previously managed it in a Players Championship event but this is probably the first of many on the televised stage.

The occasion had shades of when MVG came of age in 2012 when defeating Phil Taylor in the second round of the Grand Slam with an average of 108 compared to the Power’s 105 – but on this night the younger star couldn’t quite come out on top as the three-time champion ran out a 10-8 winner.

After successive breaks of throws in the opening two legs – including the nine-darter that levelled the match for Rock – both players continued to hold until MVG produced a decisive 142 checkout to complete a 12-darter in the 15th that saw him go 8-7 up.

The next two legs were shared before MVG held his nerve on double 10 when Rock was waiting to come back on 54 – but the disappointment of defeat couldn’t wipe the smile of the Northern Irishman’s face during the interviews.

He told Sky Sports: “I’ll never forget this, it was very special and thanks to the crowd. I didn’t think anything (when going for the nine-darter), just to hit it!

“I felt my ankle go after the celebration but it’s didn’t affect me apart from in the next leg which I won anyway.

“I know it’s only one leg but when you hit nine perfect darts on stage it will give me so much confidence. I’m not gutted (about losing), I’m happy!”

Van Gerwen averaged 107.71 compared to Rock’s 103.93 and weighed in with four 100+ checkouts, while his opponent hit eight of the 13 maximums and pinned eight of his 12 darts at doubles.

“I like to have battles and I like to have good games,” reflected the three-time World Champion, who is eyeing his first Grand Slam success since 2017.

“Josh Rock is a phenomenal player and we’re going to hear much more about him very soon, but I had to dig deep today.

“This is the best I have played in a long time and I had to, because when you’re up against a player of this calibre, you have to produce the right things at the right moments.”

Van Gerwen will now take on sixth seed Luke Humphries after the Newbury ace defeated Ross Smith 10-8 in the final match of the night.

Smith – who posted a record-breaking nine 180s in a group stage tie against Van Gerwen – managed 10 on this occasion but was left to rue 26 missed darts at doubles.

The European champion also fired in seven perfect darts on two occasions during the clash in which he trailed 5-2 early on but eventually fought back to within one leg at 8-7.

However, Humphries produced 15 and 16-dart holds in the closing stages to book his place in a first Grand Slam quarter-final.

“It wasn’t the game I expected, I just felt so flat and tired and I think that showed in my performance,” admitted Humphries – a winner of four European Tour titles in 2022.

“My wins against Michael this year give me the belief that I can win. I’ve got good memories of playing him but I know that I’m going to have to be at my best.”

Earlier, Alan Soutar continued his dream run on his Grand Slam of Darts debut with a 10-8 victory over Jonny Clayton.

The Scotsman, who came through a qualifying event to book his place in Wolverhampton before finishing second in a group ahead of Peter Wright, was largely in control of a hard-fought contest after opening up 6-2 and 7-4 leads although an out-of-sorts Ferret didn’t give up even when Soutar moved one away from victory at 9-6 up.

Clayton punished his opponent for three match darts in the 16th leg before pulling another back in the next but Soutar eventually got the job done with a classy 13-darter to run out a 10-8 winner with a 97.05 average and six 180s.

He will next face Nathan Aspinall, who eased to a comfortable 10-6 victory over Jermaine Wattimena in the opening match of the night.

Aspinall will start as favourite despite losing 5-4 to Soutar in the group stages and his performance level against the Dutchman was better than what he managed in the group stages, averaging 97.49 and throwing five 180s.

Grand Slam of Darts: Results Group Stage

Group A

Group B

Group C

Group D

Group E

Group F

Group G

Group H

Grand Slam of Darts: Knockout stages

Wednesday November 16 (7pm)TV Coverage: Sky SportsSecond Round (Best of 19 legs)

Thursday November 17 (7pm)TV Coverage: Sky SportsSecond Round (Best of 19 legs)

Friday November 18Evening Session (1pm)TV Coverage: Sky SportsQuarter-finals (Best of 31 legs)

Saturday November 19Evening Session (7pm)TV Coverage: Sky SportsQuarter-finals (Best of 31 legs)

Sunday November 20Afternoon Session (1pm)TV Coverage: Sky SportsSemi-finals (Best of 31 legs)

Evening Session (7pm)TV Coverage: Sky SportsFinal (Best of 31 legs)

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