Joe Cullen has advanced to the quarterfinals of the World Grand Prix after a hard-fought 3-2 victory against Daryl Gurney. The match was far from either player’s best, with both struggling to find their usual form, but Cullen ultimately emerged victorious, securing his place in the last eight of the tournament. This win comes after Cullen’s earlier triumph in the first round, where he also had to battle back from a set down.
Slow Start for Both Players
The game between Cullen and Gurney was anticipated to be a thrilling contest, especially after Gurney’s impressive first-round victory over Michael van Gerwen. However, both players delivered what can only be described as a below-par performance. Cullen’s average for the match was 82.52, while Gurney recorded an even lower average of 80.10, well below what is expected at this stage of a major tournament.
What stood out most during the match was the struggle with doubles from both players. Cullen’s opening percentage was just 43%, while his finishing percentage sat at 32%. For Gurney, these statistics were even worse, as he opened with just 33% of his attempts and finished at a meager 27%. These low percentages played a big part in the overall quality of the match, with missed opportunities and unsteady finishes keeping the scoreline closer than it might have been otherwise.
Gurney Takes Early Lead
The match started with Gurney in control. The Northern Irishman took the first set 3-1, showing flashes of the form that helped him knock out van Gerwen in the previous round. Gurney looked sharp early on, capitalizing on Cullen’s early mistakes and missing doubles to take the set and grab an early lead.
Cullen, who had shown resilience in his opening-round match against Chris Dobey by overturning a 0-1 deficit, found himself once again needing to fight back. He quickly regrouped in the second set and managed to level the match, winning it 3-2. Gurney had his chances in the second set but squandered three opportunities to extend his lead, allowing Cullen to take advantage and bring the match level at 1-1.
Gurney Shines Briefly, but Cullen Levels Again
Gurney seemed to regain his composure in the third set. He won three legs in a row, including a 13-darter, 15-darter, and 14-darter, to take the set comfortably. At that moment, it appeared that Gurney was ready to take control of the match and move on to the next round.
However, the doubles continued to be Gurney’s downfall. In the fourth set, Gurney missed eight chances to win the first leg, opening the door for Cullen to come back. Cullen took the set 3-0, once again leveling the match and forcing a decisive fifth set. It was clear that Gurney’s missed opportunities were costing him dearly, and Cullen was starting to find his rhythm.
Cullen Takes Control in the Final Set
For the first time in the match, Cullen took the lead in the fifth set by winning the opening leg. His confidence seemed to grow, and he followed up with a 14-darter to extend his lead to 2-0. Gurney, now on the back foot, struggled to keep up, and Cullen eventually closed out the match with a 20-darter to secure the win.
This victory marks the third time in Cullen’s career that he has reached the quarterfinals at the World Grand Prix. Despite the shaky performance from both players, Cullen showed the mental toughness needed to come from behind and grind out a victory. He will now face either Dave Chisnall or Dimitri Van den Bergh in the quarterfinals, where he will need to improve significantly if he hopes to continue his run in the tournament.
A Tough Defeat for Gurney
For Daryl Gurney, this match will be a disappointment. After such a strong performance in the first round against van Gerwen, expectations were high that he could make a deep run in the tournament. However, his inconsistency with doubles and inability to maintain his strong play throughout the match cost him dearly. Gurney will need to regroup and focus on improving his finishing if he hopes to bounce back in future tournaments.
Looking Ahead
Joe Cullen will now prepare for his quarterfinal clash, knowing that he can still improve his game. While his averages and finishing percentages were not at the level he would have liked, he showed resilience and determination to secure the win. The next round will undoubtedly provide a tougher challenge, and Cullen will need to raise his game if he is to advance further in the World Grand Prix.
As the tournament progresses, fans will be eager to see if “The Rockstar” can continue his journey and potentially secure his first major title.
