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 after Cameron Menzies was forced to withdraw because of sudden illness, reshaping the evening's schedule.
Menzies' bout with Ross Smith turned dramatic when the Scottish player began to feel dizzy while leading 2‑1. Moments later he fainted on stage, prompting immediate medical attention. The doctors cleared him to return to his hotel, but he was still unwell enough to abandon the contest. Consequently, Smith advanced automatically to the last eight, where he will now face Price, who had just wrapped up his own encounter.
The Price‑Cross showdown started with Cross taking an early 3‑2 lead. Price then seized momentum, stringing together six consecutive legs to surge ahead 8‑3. Although Cross rallied to narrow the gap to 8‑5, the Welshman responded with three more flawless legs, sealing the match with his trademark roar as the final score settled at 11‑5. After the win, Price spoke to Sky Sports, 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, "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 released a statement noting that he suffered a spike in blood pressure that caused dizziness and fainting. After a thorough on‑site medical assessment, he was deemed fit to return to his accommodation, though still too ill to continue competing that night.
Prior to his exit, Menzies had impressed by defeating world number two Luke Humphries in the first round, marking the biggest win of his career to date. His sudden departure opened the door for Ross Smith, who had been taken off the stage after a brief bout of unsteadiness but was cleared by medical staff before ultimately being unable to carry on. In the other half of the draw, Dutch rising star Gian van Veen prepared for a quarter‑final clash with James Wade, a repeat of the previous year’s encounter.
Van Veen was eager to avenge his 16‑13 defeat in 2025 after securing his own place with a thrilling 14‑12 tie‑break victory over fellow Dutchman Wessel Nijman. Nijman entered the match on the back of an outstanding season, having captured six Pro Tour titles in 2026. He started strongly, breaking van Veen’s throw twice, including a 135 checkout on the bull, and leading 4‑1 after the first session.
However, van Veen fought back, hitting maximums and taking four of the next five legs to level the contest at 5‑5. Wayne Mardle of Sky Sports Darts described the encounter as "edgy but enthralling," noting that both players were averaging around 97 points per three darts. Nijman again surged ahead, breaking once more to go 11‑10 up.
Van Veen, refusing to relent, produced an astonishing 148 checkout under intense pressure, tying the match at 11‑11 while Nijman waited on a 64 finish. The decisive 25th leg saw van Veen break Nijman's throw and step up on double 16 to clinch the match, denying the Dutchman his first major quarter‑final appearance. Van Veen’s composure in the closing moments highlighted his growing reputation as a clutch performer on the big stage. The night’s final match featured James Wade battling Ryan Searle.
Wade emerged victorious 11‑8, marking his 14th quarter‑final qualification in what is now his 21st World Matchplay appearance. The early exchanges were tightly contested, with each player nullifying the other's breaks of throw, leaving the score deadlocked at 5‑5. Wade eventually tipped the balance with a spectacular 121 bullseye checkout, followed by a hold of throw to move 8‑5 ahead.
Searle managed to break back, but Wade responded with a clinical 143 finish, extending his lead to 9‑7. Maintaining his composure, Wade held his throw once more to secure a 11‑8 win and a spot on double 12 for the quarter‑finals. The quarter‑finals will commence on Thursday, with live coverage beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Sky Sports Action and Main Event.
The draw includes a repeat of the 2025 semi‑final epic: Luke Littler will meet Josh Rock for a place in the final four, while Gary Anderson faces Dirk van Duijvenbode for the other semi‑final slot. Fans can watch the entire tournament on Sky Sports or stream the action via NOW, which offers live darts without a contract. The World Matchplay continues to deliver high‑octane drama, with each match offering a blend of skill, resilience, and the occasional unexpected twist, as demonstrated by Menzies' sudden withdrawal and the fierce battles that followed.