Gerwyn Price secured his place in the World Matchplay quarter‑finals with a decisive 11‑5 victory over Rob Cross, a match that was set against the backdrop of Cameron Menzies pulling out because of sudden illness at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. The evening began with an unexpected incident in the first‑round encounter between Menzies and Ross Smith. While Smith was leading 2‑1, Menzies suddenly felt dizzy on stage, stumbled, and later fainted. Medical staff attended to him promptly, and after a thorough check‑up he was escorted back to his hotel.
The match was therefore abandoned, allowing Smith to progress to the last eight where he would later face Price after the Welshman’s dominant win over Cross. Price’s encounter with Cross started with the Irishman holding a narrow 3‑2 lead, but the Englishman quickly turned the tide.
He rattled off six consecutive legs, pushing the score to 8‑3 in his favour. Although Cross managed a brief resurgence, narrowing the gap to 8‑5, Price responded with another three‑leg streak to seal the match, punctuating his triumph with his trademark roar that echoed through the venue. Speaking to Sky Sports after the win, Price admitted the night had been a struggle. "I felt like I was fighting all the way through the game," he said.
"My scoring was all over the place – up and down. If I want to lift this trophy I need to be far more consistent, but I’m moving in the right direction. I need that energy, that buzz, and Ross (Smith) gave me that.
You’ll see the old me back on stage, and as long as the fans accept it, I’ll be back where I belong." Menzies’ withdrawal was confirmed by the PDC, which released a statement noting that the Scottish player experienced a spike in blood pressure that caused dizziness and fainting. After being examined by the on‑site medical team, he was deemed fit to return to his accommodation but was still too unwell to continue in the tournament. The young competitor had arrived in Blackpool on a high note, having upset world No. 2 Luke Humphries in the first round – the biggest win of his career to date.
In the other quarter‑final slot, Dutch rising star Gian van Veen will meet James Wade for a second consecutive year. Van Veen is eager to avenge his 16‑13 defeat to Wade in the 2025 edition after he survived a dramatic 14‑12 tie‑break against fellow Dutchman Wessel Nijman to claim the last‑eight place. The van Veen‑Nijman clash was a showcase of Dutch darts talent. Nijman, who has already amassed six Pro Tour titles in 2026, entered the match with confidence, hoping to translate his floor‑game success into a major‑stage breakthrough.
Van Veen, however, made an early statement by breaking Nijman's throw twice in the opening session, including a spectacular 135 finish on the bull, and surged ahead to lead 4‑1. Nijman fought back fiercely, hitting a series of maximums and taking four of the next five legs to level the match at 5‑5. Both players hovered around a 97 average, delivering an edge‑of‑your‑seat contest that Sky Sports Darts analyst Wayne Mardle described as "edgy but enthralling". Nijman later seized a break of throw to move ahead 11‑10, but Van Veen responded with an astonishing 148 checkout under immense pressure, tying the scores at 11‑11 while his opponent waited on a 64 finish.
The decisive moment arrived in the 25th leg. Van Veen broke Nijman's throw once more and, with the dartboard in his sight, aimed for the double 16. He hit it cleanly, sealing a 13‑12 win and denying Nijman his first major quarter‑final appearance.
The final match of the night saw James Wade overcome a resilient Ryan Searle 11‑8, earning his 14th quarter‑final spot in what is his 21st World Matchplay appearance. The two exchanged blows evenly early on, each break of throw being immediately answered.
The score stood at 5‑5 before Wade produced a brilliant 121 bullseye checkout, followed by a hold of throw to lead 8‑5. Searle managed to claw back a leg, but Wade’s composure shone through when he hit a 143 finish to re‑establish a 9‑7 advantage.
Maintaining his steady throw, Wade closed out the match on double 12, confirming his place in the next round. The quarter‑finals will commence on Thursday, with live coverage beginning at 7:30 pm on Sky Sports Action and Main Event. The draw sets up a repeat of the 2025 semi‑final drama: Luke Littler will face Josh Rock for a spot in the last four, while Gary Anderson meets Dirk van Duijvenbode for the other semi‑final berth.
Fans worldwide can tune in to watch the decisive stages of this year’s World Matchplay. Defending champion Luke Littler will be looking to retain his title, and all the action will be streamed via NOW, offering a contract‑free viewing experience for darts enthusiasts and sports fans alike.