Damon Heta reached his first televised ranking quarter-final with a 10-7 win over Devon Petersen to create a rematch with James Wade on Sunday.
The Australian ace had lost out 5-2 to Wade in the opening game of the Group Stage on Monday, but will now get the chance to avenge that loss in a knockout clash after proving too strong for Petersen.
Heta opened up leads of 4-1 and 8-3 to punish a slow start from Petersen, who hit back to 8-6 at one stage.
However, Heta’s brilliant 144 checkout in leg 15 – with Petersen waiting on 40 – proved crucial before he closed out the win two legs later.
“I’m stoked,” said Heta. “I knew what I was in for but Devon didn’t show up as well as he normally does and I took my chances when I got them.
“I was expecting a really tough, close game because I know how good a player Devon is.
“The 144 was very crucial and I had to take it out, and I think that crushed him a little bit because he was getting the momentum back.”
The 2019 Brisbane Darts Masters winner added: “I’m looking forward to playing James. I lost to him in the Group Stages and he’s such a steady player. I could learn a lot from James but I’ve beaten him a couple of times and I’ll try and do the same again.”
Michael Smith held his nerve in a deciding-leg shoot-out against Rob Cross to reach the BoyleSports Grand Slam of Darts quarter-finals for a second successive year with a narrow 10-9 victory.
Smith had looked to have blown his opportunity to win a tight contest after seeing three match darts go begging in leg 17, as Cross finished 70 and then landed tops to force a deciding leg.
The world number four, though, followed 11 earlier 180s by kicking off the final leg with a 177, before pinning double 12 for a 13-darter to set up a last eight last with Jose De Sousa on Sunday.
Cross had earlier come back from 2-0 down to lead 3-2 and also took out a match-high 119 finish as he moved 6-5 up, but a three-leg surge from Smith proved key as he edged clear in the second half of the contest.
“I’m happy but also a bit frustrated because I could have wrapped it up earlier, but I’m proud of how I handled that last leg because I could have buckled,” said Smith. “I wanted it so much and I’m happy.
“I was a bit patchy in the game but it was a tough game for me tonight, especially against Rob. He’s got a great record against me so it’s about time I got one back.
“It was a battle but I can put that to one side and it’s a new game tomorrow against Jose. I’m glad I’m in the quarter-finals, it’s a tournament that I love and I’m looking forward to tomorrow now.”
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