The 2024 Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts launched into action in Wolverhampton on Saturday, with the opening day’s group stage matches delivering thrills, surprises, and statement wins. Among the evening’s highlights was a stunning upset as Rowby-John Rodriguez overpowered reigning champion Luke Humphries, while Jermaine Wattimena defeated Mike de Decker in a high-stakes clash, capping off an electrifying start to the tournament.
Humphries, who entered the competition as the defending champion and world number one, was keen to make an impact in his first match. Following emphatic wins from darts icons Gary Anderson, Michael van Gerwen, and emerging talent Luke Littler earlier in the evening, Humphries appeared poised to add his dominant performance to the mix. He opened strong with a solid hold of throw in the first leg, hinting at the form that saw him claim the title last year.
But Rodriguez had other plans. Taking full advantage of a somewhat subdued performance from “Cool Hand Luke,” the Austrian seized his opportunity to hold his throw, before breaking Humphries’ to edge ahead. Building on this momentum, Rodriguez clinched a 3-1 lead with a comfortable hold, putting Humphries under unexpected pressure just two legs away from an upset loss.
Although Humphries showed resilience, hitting double 5 to pull back within one leg, Rodriguez continued to apply pressure. In a pivotal moment, Rodriguez passed on a 170 checkout attempt to secure a more comfortable double-16 finish, moving him within a single leg of victory at 4-2. Humphries momentarily delayed the upset by hitting a spectacular 164 finish to pull back another leg, but Rodriguez quickly ended any comeback hopes. With a clutch 141 checkout, he sealed the 5-3 victory, sending shockwaves through the arena.
The evening’s final match between World Grand Prix champion Mike de Decker and European Championship runner-up Jermaine Wattimena continued the evening’s drama. Both players showcased their skills in a high-quality contest, trading holds until Wattimena broke through with an impressive 160 finish, taking a commanding 4-2 lead and leaving him in a prime position to close out the match. Wattimena secured his 5-2 victory with a bull-tops 90 checkout, wrapping up an action-packed opening day of the tournament.
With gripping upsets and statement wins, the 2024 Grand Slam of Darts has set an intense tone for the week ahead. Fans can expect more fireworks as the tournament continues at Wolverhampton’s WV Active Aldersley arena, with global broadcasting on Sky Sports and streaming available on PDCTV for fans across the world.
Ben Evans is a passionate darts writer with a keen eye for statistics and news. With years of experience following the PDC scene, Ben brings in-depth coverage of tournaments, player performances, and emerging dart trends. Known for his detailed analysis and love for the game, he keeps fans updated with the latest stats, match insights, and memorable moments. When he’s not covering the action on the oche, Ben enjoys a game of darts, staying sharp on the sport he loves.