Gerwyn Price secured his place in the World Matchplay quarter‑finals with a dominant 11‑5 victory over Rob Cross, while Cameron Menzies was forced to pull out of his match because of a sudden illness at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. The evening began with Menzies taking on Ross Smith. Early in the encounter, while leading 2‑1, Menzies suddenly felt light‑headed and began to sway on stage. Within minutes he became dizzy, eventually fainting and having to be escorted off the arena.
Medical personnel examined him and, after confirming his condition, allowed him to return to his hotel. The match was therefore abandoned, and Smith advanced to the last eight.
Smith will now face Price, who had just finished a convincing win over Cross. After falling behind 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 three more flawless legs, sealing the match and celebrating with his trademark roar. Speaking to Sky Sports after the win, Price admitted that he had struggled at times during the contest.
"I felt like I was fighting the whole game," he said. "My scoring was inconsistent – up and down – and if I want to lift this trophy I need to raise my level.
But I’m moving in the right direction. I need that energy, that buzz, and Ross (Smith) brings it.
You’ll see the old me back on stage, and as long as the fans accept it, I’ll be there." Menzies' withdrawal was confirmed by a PDC statement, which explained that the Scottish player experienced a spike in blood pressure that caused dizziness and fainting. After an on‑site medical assessment, he was deemed fit to return to his accommodation but was still too unwell to continue his campaign. Despite the setback, Menzies had arrived in Blackpool on a high note, having upset world number two Luke Humphries in the first round – the biggest win of his career to date. His early exit was a disappointment for his supporters, but the tournament moved forward with the remaining competitors.
In the other quarter‑final slot, Dutch rising star Gian van Veen will meet James Wade for a second consecutive year. Van Veen is looking to avenge his 16‑13 defeat to Wade in the 2025 edition after delivering a thrilling 14‑12 tie‑break win over fellow Dutchman Wessel Nijman to reach the last eight.
Nijman entered the match after an impressive season on the Pro Tour, where he captured six titles in 2026 and was hoping to translate his floor form into a major‑stage breakthrough. The opening session saw van Veen dominate, breaking Nijman's throw twice – including a spectacular 135 checkout on the bull – and racing to a 4‑1 lead. Nijman fought back, hitting a series of maximums and taking four of the next five legs to level the match at 5‑5. Both players were averaging around 97, delivering a high‑quality, edge‑of‑your‑seat duel that Sky Sports Darts analyst Wayne Mardle described as "edgy but enthralling." The contest remained tight, with Nijman taking another break of throw to move ahead 11‑10.
Van Veen, however, refused to yield. Under immense pressure, he hit a breathtaking 148 checkout to bring the score to 11‑11, leaving Nijman needing 64 to win. In the decisive 25th leg, van Veen broke Nijman's throw again and, on double 16, clinched the match, denying Nijman his first major quarter‑final appearance. The final match of the night saw veteran James Wade overcome a resilient Ryan Searle 11‑8, marking Wade's 14th quarter‑final appearance in his 21st World Matchplay.
The two exchanged early breaks, keeping the score deadlocked at 5‑5 before Wade produced a stunning 121 bullseye checkout and held his throw to lead 8‑5. Searle managed to break back, but Wade responded with a clinical 143 finish, extending his advantage to 9‑7. Maintaining composure, Wade held his throw to close 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 Main Event. The draw features a repeat 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 slot.
Fans can watch the entire tournament, including the upcoming quarter‑finals, semi‑finals, and the final, on Sky Sports or stream via NOW. The World Matchplay continues to showcase the sport's biggest names and emerging talents, promising more dramatic finishes, high‑scoring legs, and the occasional surprise as players vie for one of darts' most prestigious titles.