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’ abrupt withdrawal because of illness at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. The evening’s first encounter turned dramatic when Menzies, who had taken a 2‑1 lead over Ross Smith, suddenly felt dizzy on stage. Within minutes he fainted, prompting medical staff to escort him off‑stage and later to his hotel for a full check‑up.
The match was consequently abandoned, allowing Smith to progress to the last eight where he will now face Price, fresh from his commanding win over Cross. Price’s contest with Cross began with the latter holding a narrow 3‑2 advantage.
The Iceman quickly turned the tide, stringing together six consecutive legs to surge ahead 8‑3. Although Cross rallied to narrow the gap to 8‑5, Price responded with a flurry of three more legs, sealing the match in spectacular fashion and punctuating his triumph 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 heading 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." Smith’s advancement came under unusual circumstances. After Menzies doubled over and appeared unsteady, he received immediate medical attention. The on‑site doctors diagnosed him with high blood pressure, which caused the dizziness and fainting.
Though he was cleared to return to his accommodation, he was still too unwell to continue in the competition. Menzies had arrived at the venue in fine form, having upset world No. 2 Luke Humphries in the opening round – a victory that marked the biggest win of his career to date. In the other quarter‑final slot, Dutch prodigy Gian van Veen will meet James Wade for a second consecutive year.
Van Veen is eager to avenge his 16‑13 loss to Wade in 2025 after he survived a nail‑biting 14‑12 tie‑break against fellow Dutchman Wessel Nijman to reach the last eight. The van Veen‑Nijman clash was a showcase of high‑calibre darts. Van Veen, currently ranked world No. 3, established early dominance by breaking Nijman's throw twice, including a spectacular 135 checkout on the bull, and led 4‑1 after the first session.
Nijman, however, fought back fiercely, hitting a series of maximums and taking four of the next five legs to level the match at 5‑5. Sky Sports Darts analyst Wayne Mardle described the encounter as "edgy but enthralling," noting that both players averaged around 97.
Nijman later seized a break of throw to go 11‑10 ahead, but Van Veen answered with an incredible 148 checkout under immense pressure, tying the scores at 11‑11. The decisive 25th leg saw Van Veen break Nijman's throw once more and, on double 16, clinch the match, denying Nijman his first major quarter‑final appearance. The night’s final match featured James Wade overcoming a stern challenge from Ryan Searle, winning 11‑8 to claim his 14th quarter‑final spot in his 21st World Matchplay appearance.
The early exchanges were tightly contested, each break of throw being immediately countered, leaving the score deadlocked at 5‑5. Wade eventually seized control with a brilliant 121 bullseye checkout, followed by a hold of throw to move 8‑5 ahead. Although Searle managed to break back, Wade’s composure shone through as he delivered a 143 finish, extending his lead to 9‑7. He maintained his momentum, securing the match on double 12.
The quarter‑finals will kick off on Thursday, with live coverage beginning at 7:30 pm on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event. The draw pits Luke Littler against Josh Rock in a repeat of their 2025 semi‑final showdown, while Gary Anderson will face Dirk van Duijvenbode for the other semi‑final berth.
Fans can look forward to a thrilling continuation of this year’s World Matchplay, with defending champion Luke Littler aiming to retain his title. All matches will be streamed on NOW, offering viewers the chance to follow every dart thrown in real time.
The tournament promises high drama, top‑level skill, and the kind of unpredictable moments that make darts a truly captivating sport.