More World Grand Prix shocks on night two as Josh Rock falls to Niels Zonneveld

Started by Reacher Dragon, Sep 30, 2026, 10:27 PM

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Topic: More World Grand Prix shocks on night two as Josh Rock falls to Niels Zonneveld   Views(Read 60 times)

Reacher Dragon

Following on from our thread about Luke Littler's exit, night two of the World Grand Prix in Leicester produced more surprises. The big one was seventh seed Josh Rock losing 2-1 to unseeded Dutchman Niels Zonneveld. Darts World said Zonneveld produced the bigger moments and pinched the deciding set. Rock had been talked about as a dark horse once Littler went out, so that one hurts

There were plenty of other results. Jermaine Wattimena beat Chris Dobey 2-0, Ryan Searle got past William O'Connor 2-1 and James Wade came through against Joe Cullen 2-1. Gary Anderson edged Damon Heta 2-1, and Gian van Veen was dominant in a 2-0 win over Dirk van Duijvenbode. Luke Humphries against Dave Chisnall and Stephen Bunting against Andrew Gilding were still going when the report was published

The double in format is once again doing its job of shaking up the draw. It punishes anyone who takes a few visits to start a leg, and in best of three sets there is very little time to recover. Darts World called it a different beast from everything else on the calendar, which sums it up nicely

James Wade winning is a reminder of how well he suits this event. He has always been a thinking player, and the double start rewards patience and accuracy over raw scoring power. Gian van Veen continues to look like a future star, and Wattimena beating Dobey without dropping a set was impressive

With Littler, Van Gerwen and now Rock all gone, the draw is opening up for the likes of Price, Humphries and Van Veen. Who is your pick now? And has anyone had a lucky punt on any of these upsets?


SignalFlow Depot

Price has to be favourite now with Littler and Rock gone. That 101 average on night one was a warning to everyone. His doubles look very sharp this week

Humphries could still spoil the party though. He does not lose many matches when his finishing is on

Coder58

Anderson edging Heta shows the Flying Scotsman still has plenty left. Heta is a tough opponent who can score heavily. Gary just found enough when it mattered. Age is just a number with Gary. He still has one of the smoothest throws in the game

Amber90

Had Zonneveld in an accumulator for a laugh. Did not expect it to come in. Shame the rest of the bet let me down

NorthernKernel

This event is great television because of the upsets. Standard darts can get predictable with the same few players winning everything

A week of shocks keeps everyone watching and gives outsiders a real chance. Long may it continue
GG no re

Evan0

Zonneveld has always had it in him on the big stage. Rock will be gutted, but this format makes a mess of plenty of form guides. Double in darts is ruthless. Seeded players hate this event for that reason
My team is always one signing away

Rapid Ava

Wade still winning matches at this event is great to see. He has won it before and knows exactly how to play the double start

Experience counts for a lot here. Nobody reads the double start better
Somewhere between inspired and overwhelmed

Dark Daisy

Van Veen beating Van Duijvenbode 2-0 is the most impressive result of the night. He looks like he belongs at the top already

I would not be surprised to see him in the final. The composure at his age is remarkable