World Grand Prix: Top five greatest moments

James Wade, Robert Thornton (PDC)

With one month to go to the start of the 2019 BoyleSports World Grand Prix, we take a look back at five of the greatest moments witnessed at the Dublin event.

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5. Dudbridge's great escape

The deciding leg of the second round clash between Mark Dudbridge and Andy Jenkins in 2007 encapsulated the unique double-start format of the World Grand Prix.

Dudbridge failed to find his starting double with his first nine attempts, and with Jenkins already down to 216, the contest seemed all but over.

However, Dudbridge got off at the tenth time of asking, and scores of 120, 100 and 180 suddenly piled pressure onto Jenkins to take out 56.

This time it was Jenkins' turn to misfire at the outer ring, allowing Dudbridge to step in and take out 101 to complete a remarkable comeback.

4. Callaby shocks the world

A complete unknown heading into the 2004 event, Andy Callaby shocked the darting world by beating Phil Taylor on his TV debut.

The 39-year-old caused one of the biggest upsets in darts history by inflicting a 2-0 defeat on defending champion Taylor, winning it in style with a 145 checkout.

Reflecting on his defeat, Taylor said: "This game is getting harder and harder. I'm getting older and the players are getting younger. There's something I've got to do now and that's to get back on the practice board and work hard."

Michael van Gerwen (Lawrence Lustig, PDC)

3. MvG lands first TV title

October 14, 2012 was a monumental day for darts as Michael van Gerwen lifted his first televised title in Dublin.

The 23-year-old Dutchman had to do it the hard way, as he trailed Mervyn King 4-1 in a best-of-11-sets final, before winning five consecutive sets to claim a memorable 6-4 victory.

"It's the best day of my life," said Van Gerwen. "I started the year as the number 38 in the world and now I'm number eight, so it's unbelievable for me."

2. Dolan makes history

Brendan Dolan made history in 2011, becoming the first player to hit a double-start nine-dart finish.

Playing against reigning champion James Wade in the semi-finals, Dolan opened the special leg with a 160, following it up with a 180 and a 161 finish.

The Northern Irishman produced the performance of his life to claim a 5-2 victory before going down 6-3 to Phil Taylor in the final.

James Wade, Robert Thornton (PDC)

1. Two nine-darters in one match

The 2014 second round meeting between Wade and Robert Thornton will be forever remembered as one of the greatest ever darts matches.

It was the first time that two players both completed perfect legs in the same game, a feat which has never since been replicated.

Wade edged out Thornton 3-2, but the two-time Grand Prix Champion was full of respect for his opponent after Thornton competed despite the death of his mother the previous week, and had flown from Scotland to Dublin after attending her funeral earlier in the day.

"I can only congratulate Robert for what he's achieved there," said Wade.

"There was no nice way to play Robert with what he's gone through, and for him to do what he's done shows that there's nobody with any bigger heart than him."