Gerwyn Price secured his place in the quarter‑finals of the World Matchplay with a dominant 11‑5 victory over Rob Cross, after Cameron Menzies was forced to pull out of his match due to illness at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. The evening began with a dramatic incident when Menzies, who was leading Ross Smith 2‑1, suddenly felt dizzy on stage. His condition worsened and he eventually fainted, prompting medical staff to escort him back to his hotel for assessment.
The match was consequently abandoned, allowing Smith to progress to the last eight where he will face Price following the Welshman's emphatic win over Cross. The Price‑Cross encounter started with Cross holding a 3‑2 edge, but Price quickly seized control, stringing together six consecutive legs to surge ahead 8‑3. Although Cross rallied to narrow the gap to 8‑5, Price responded with three more flawless legs, sealing the match in style and punctuating his triumph with his trademark roar. After the win, Price spoke to Sky Sports about his performance, admitting, "I felt like I was struggling all through the game.
I couldn't find my scoring rhythm; it was up and down." He added that he knows he must elevate his level if he hopes to capture the title, saying, "If I want to win this tournament I need to be a lot better than that, but I am going in the right direction. I need that energy, I need that buzz, and Ross (Smith) brings that. You are going to see the old me. As long as the fans accept it, then it will be back." Menzies' withdrawal was confirmed by the PDC, which explained that the Scottish player experienced a spike in blood pressure that caused dizziness and fainting.
After a thorough evaluation by the on‑site medical team, he was deemed fit to return to his accommodation but was still too unwell to continue his campaign. The decision was a disappointment for Menzies, who had arrived in Blackpool on a high note after upsetting world No.
2 Luke Humphries in the first round – the biggest victory of his career to date. In another quarter‑final slot, Dutch prodigy Gian van Veen will meet James Wade for a second consecutive year. Van Veen is looking to avenge his 16‑13 loss to Wade in 2025 after he edged past Wessel Nijman in a thrilling 14‑12 tie‑break to claim the last‑eight place. Nijman, who has amassed six Pro Tour titles in 2026, entered the match riding a wave of confidence but soon found himself on the back foot against world No.
3 Van Veen. The Dutchman opened the first session strongly, breaking Wade’s throw twice and hitting a 135 checkout on the bull to lead 4‑1. Nijman fought back, stringing together four of the next five legs to level the match at 5‑5.
Both players hovered around a 97 average, delivering an "edgy but enthralling" contest, as described by Sky Sports commentator Wayne Mardle. Nijman seized another break to go ahead 11‑10, but Van Veen responded with a spectacular 148 checkout under immense pressure, restoring parity at 11‑11.
The decisive 25th leg saw Van Veen break Nijman's throw once more and, on double 16, clinch the match, denying the Dutchman his first major quarter‑final appearance. The final preliminary match of the night featured veteran James Wade overcoming a resilient Ryan Searle 11‑8, marking Wade’s 14th quarter‑final appearance in his 21st World Matchplay participation. The early exchanges were tightly contested, each break of throw being immediately answered, leaving the score dead‑locked at 5‑5. Wade eventually tipped the balance with a brilliant 121 bullseye checkout, followed by a hold of throw to move ahead 8‑5.
Although Searle managed to break back, Wade’s composure shone through when he hit a 143 finish, extending his lead to 9‑7. He maintained his momentum, sealing the win with a decisive double 12. The quarter‑finals are set to commence on Thursday, with live coverage beginning at 7:30 pm on Sky Sports Action and Main Event. The draw features a replay of the 2025 semi‑final showdown between Luke Littler and Josh Rock, while Gary Anderson will clash with Dirk van Duijvenbode for the other semi‑final berth.
Fans can follow the action on Sky Sports or stream the tournament via NOW, which offers a contract‑free viewing experience. As the competition narrows, the question on everyone’s mind is who will lift the World Matchplay trophy this year. Defending champion Luke Littler will be looking to retain his crown, while a field of seasoned veterans and hungry newcomers, including Price, Van Veen, and Wade, promise a week of high‑octane darts. The stage is set at the historic Winter Gardens, and the drama is only just beginning.