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JAMES WADE 5 – 2 Peter Wright

Former Grand Slam of Darts finalist James Wade kicked off his title bid with a couple of big finishes as he claimed an impressive victory against Scotland’s Peter Wright on Saturday.

Wade fired in checkouts of 130 and 160 in the opening two legs as he made a sensational start to the tournament in Wolverhampton, going on to claim a 5-2 win in his Group B match.

‘The Machine’ ruthlessly punished Wright for missing a dart at a double in each of the first two legs by taking out the three-dart combinations in typically clinical fashion.

Wright pulled it back to two legs apiece but seven-time PDC major winner Wade pegged double ten to regain the lead after his opponent had missed a dart at tops.

The Aldershot ace then produced a 13-darter to move two legs clear before finishing the job with a 70 checkout.

He will face Gary Anderson on Sunday and Wesley Harms on Tuesday.

By Chris Murphy