Gerwyn Price clinched a place in the World Matchplay quarter‑finals after delivering a decisive 11‑5 victory over Rob Cross at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. The match unfolded under unusual circumstances because Cameron Menzies was forced to pull out of his earlier contest with Ross Smith after experiencing a sudden bout of dizziness and subsequently fainting. Medical personnel examined Menzies on‑stage, and he was escorted back to his hotel, leaving Smith to advance by default. The abandoned encounter meant Smith would meet Price, who had already demonstrated his dominance over Cross.
After trailing 2‑3, Price seized momentum, stringing together six consecutive legs to surge ahead 8‑3. Cross managed a brief comeback, narrowing the gap to 8‑5, but Price responded with a final flurry of three legs, sealing the match and punctuating his win with his trademark roar. Reflecting on his performance, Price told Sky Sports, "I felt like I was struggling all through the game.
I couldn't find my scoring rhythm; it was very up and down. If I want to win this tournament I need to be a lot better than that, but I am moving in the right direction. I need that energy, I need that buzz, and Ross brings that.
You are going to see the old me. As long as the fans accept it, it will be back." His comments highlighted a mixture of self‑critique and confidence, acknowledging the need for consistency while trusting his experience to carry him forward. Menzies' withdrawal was confirmed by the PDC, which explained that the Scottish player suffered a spike in blood pressure that caused dizziness and fainting. After a thorough assessment by the on‑site medical team, he was deemed fit to return to his accommodation but was still unwell enough to forfeit the match.
The decision was a disappointment for Menzies, who had entered the round in fine form after upsetting world No. 2 Luke Humphries in the opening round—a career‑defining win that had raised expectations for his run. Meanwhile, Dutch newcomer Gian van Veen prepared for his quarter‑final clash with James Wade, a repeat of the 2025 encounter in which van Veen fell 16‑13. Van Veen earned his spot by edging Wessel Nijman in a dramatic 14‑12 tie‑break.
The Dutch showdown between van Veen and Nijman showcased high‑quality darts, with van Veen taking an early 4‑1 lead after a spectacular 135 checkout on the bull. Nijman fought back, hitting four of the next five legs to level the match at 5‑5. Both players hovered around a 97 average, delivering an intense, back‑and‑forth contest. Nijman briefly seized the lead at 11‑10, but van Veen responded with an astonishing 148 checkout under pressure, equalising at 11‑11 as Nijman awaited a 64 finish.
The decisive 25th leg saw van Veen break Nijman's throw and then finish on double 16, denying Nijman his first major quarter‑final appearance. Van Veen's composure in the clutch moments underscored his rising stature on the circuit.
In the final match of the evening, veteran James Wade battled Ryan Searle, ultimately prevailing 11‑8 to secure his 14th quarter‑final berth in his 21st World Matchplay appearance. The early exchanges were tightly contested, with each break of throw quickly answered, leaving the score deadlocked at 5‑5. Wade then produced a brilliant 121 checkout on the bull, followed by a hold of throw to move ahead 8‑5. Although Searle managed to break back, Wade delivered a decisive 143 finish, extending his lead to 9‑7 and then sealing the match on double 12.
The quarter‑finals are set to commence on Thursday, with live coverage slated for 7:30 pm on Sky Sports Action and Main Event. The draw pits Luke Littler against Josh Rock in a replay of their 2025 semi‑final epic, while Gary Anderson will face Dirk van Duijvenbode for the other semi‑final slot. As the tournament progresses, fans will be watching to see who can claim this year’s World Matchplay title. Defending champion Luke Littler will look to retain his crown, and the action will be available for streaming on NOW and Sky Sports.