The opening match of the 2024 World Grand Prix sees Josh Rock go up against Ryan Joyce on Monday. Northern Irishman Rock is widely regarded as one of the sport’s rising stars and he should hit the ground running with a win over Joyce.

The Antrim ace will arrive at the World Grand Prix as one of the world’s top 16 players after reaching the quarter-finals of the Hungarian Darts Trophy last month. He also broke new ground earlier this year by winning his first-ever European Tour title at the Dutch Darts Championship. Rock also put in a number of eye-catching performances when representing Northern Ireland at the World Cup this year.

He has averaged a mighty impressive 95.58 over the past year, not to mention he ranks 21st on the PDC circuit for 180s hit over that period.

While Rock will have to guard against complacency in his curtain-raiser with Ryan Joyce, he should have enough firepower to secure a safe passage through to the round of 16. ‘Relentless’ fell at the first hurdle at the World Matchplay and he is expected to suffer the same fate at the World Grand Prix.

In the third match of the evening, Jonny Clayton goes up against Ritchie Edhouse. ‘The Ferret’ went all the way at the World Grand Prix in 2021, while this will represent ‘Madhouse’s’ maiden appearance at this event.

Clayton continues to struggle for consistency and his first round clash with Edhouse could be a lot closer than the odds suggest. Edhouse produced a quite remarkable performance on the Pro Tour on Thursday, averaging an eye-watering 120.24 when whitewashing Graham Hall. He then proceeded to send Michael Smith packing, winning the match in style with a 160 checkout.

It’s no flash in the pan either. Edhouse has been ruffling feathers both on the floor and at Euro Tours since the turn of the year, with his impressive form helping him stamp his ticket to this year’s World Matchplay for the first time.

Thus, he looks well placed to push Clayton all the way in round one. The two arrowsmiths have shared the oche twice already this year, with both claiming 6-5 victories respectively. With another tight tungsten tussle anticipated between the duo on Monday night, siding with over 2.5 sets holds plenty of appeal at the price on offer.

Luke Humphries squares off with Stephen Bunting in one of the most eagerly-anticipated first round match-ups at this year’s World Grand Prix. ‘Cool Hand Luke’ is the defending champion and among the favourites to lift the trophy for the second year running.

Humphries will be looking to ease his way into the tournament but it might not be the cakewalk the pre-match odds suggest. Bunting has become a massive fan favourite and his performances this year make him a dangerous opening opponent for the world number one.

In fact, the two players contested the Players Championship 26 final in Wigan earlier this week, with Humphries taking top honours thanks to a thrilling 8-7 success. Humphries’ heavy scoring proved too hot for Bunting to handle in the end, and that is likely to be the case when they do battle again on Monday night.

‘Cool Hand’ has now got the better of the ‘Bullet’ in each of the last three meetings between the pair, and he can extend that streak to four by making a winning start in his pursuit of back-to-back World Grand Prix titles.

Luke Littler and Rob Cross will come up against each other in what is arguably the standout tie in the opening round of this year’s World Grand Prix. Littler is the overwhelming favourite to come through this showdown at 1.4, but instead look to the teenage sensation to hit the most 180’s at 1.62.

‘The Nuke’ has been one of the most prolific maximum hitters on the PDC circuit over the past 12 months. His 180 tally over the last year reads 716, a figure bettered by only Luke Humphries (734).
What’s more, Littler landed a competition-high 114 maximums on route to winning this year’s Premier League, scooping the weekly award for 180s scored on five occasions across the 17 week roadshow.

In contrast, Rob Cross amassed just 55 maximums in this year’s Premier League, with Peter Wright the only player to hit fewer (43). That can be attributed to ‘Voltage’ not always targeting the treble 20 bed, as he does have a habit of hitting single 20s, or switching across to treble 18.

It’s also worth pointing out that Littler has hit the most 180s in seven of his eight meetings with Cross this calendar year.

The final first-round fixture to be played on Monday night sees Gian van Veen take on Ross Smith in what looks like an intriguing contest. Both players are well-renowned for being amongst the sport’s biggest-hitters. With the likelihood of the Leicester crowd being treated to plenty of 180s from the pair, the value could lie with Smith to produce over 2.5 maximums at 1.73.

‘Smudger’ is one of the most dependable players in the PDC when it comes to delivering 180s. The Dover-born ace has hit a whopping 590 maximums across the last 12 months, four of which formed part of the two nine-dart finishes he has hit this calendar year.

He is rubbing shoulders with the PDC’s elite when it comes to 180’s scored over the last year, with only Luke Humphries (734), Luke Littler (716) and Stephen Bunting (612) racking up more maximums than Smith. Thus, three or more 180s should be within range against Dutchman van Veen, especially in a game that has the potential to go the distance.