Gerwyn Price secured a place in an all‑Welsh quarter‑final encounter with Jonny Clayton after dispatching Ross Smith in straight sets at the World Grand Prix in Leicester. The victory came on the heels of a dominant opening‑round performance against Sebastian Białecki, and it positioned Price for a Friday night showdown with his World Cup of Darts teammate.
Price, who has been tipped as one of the tournament favourites following the surprising early exit of Luke Littler, continued his strong start by allowing only four legs to fall in his 3‑0 win over Smith at the Mattioli Arena. Although Smith posted the highest average of the first round, Price’s efficiency and clinical finishing ensured a comfortable passage to the next stage.
In the other half of the draw, Jonny Clayton opened his match against Wessel Nijman with a spectacular display of high‑scoring checkouts, delivering three consecutive ton‑plus finishes and ultimately winning four checkouts in a 3‑1 triumph. His 93.08 average and poise under pressure saw him overcome the 12th seed and move into the quarter‑finals.
Ryan Joyce also progressed without much trouble, cruising past Danny Noppert in straight sets, while Luke Woodhouse – who had stunned Littler in the first round – was eliminated after a one‑sided 3‑0 defeat to Nathan Aspinall. Price’s performance on Monday night was impressive, posting a 101.61 average, though it dipped by more than ten points compared with his earlier match. After an early break, he responded with a flawless 13‑dart leg to level the score, then clinched the opening set in a final‑leg decider.
He continued his momentum by hitting an 86 finish to take the second set and an 80 checkout early in the third. Smith briefly fought back, taking a 116 finish to break and narrow the gap, but Price sealed the match with a decisive double‑18. Reflecting on his play, Price told Sky Sports, "I don't think it was a great game and I don't think we played brilliant. What we did do in patches was start well and finish well, but the bits in between were a little bit rubbish." He added, "I know he [Clayton] is chasing a Grand Slam spot, so the pressure is on him.
I think he got lucky first round – hopefully he doesn't get lucky in the next round!" Clayton’s opening set was a showcase of precision, as he broke early with a 112 checkout, followed by a 116 finish to hold throw and a 125 bullseye finish to close the set without dropping a leg. Nijman managed to claw back a leg in the second set with a 90 finish, forcing a deciding leg which Clayton won.
The Dutchman then fell behind again when Clayton started the third set with a bullseye and a 126 finish, quickly regaining the lead. Throughout the match, Clayton recorded eight maximums and demonstrated his finishing prowess, eventually pulling ahead by taking four of the next six legs to secure his quarter‑final berth for the third year running. He commented to Sky Sports, "My scoring was good but, to be fair, Wessel [Nijman] missed a few chances on doubles and he gave me a few chances. The two bullseyes were good, the 126 was good and I have a big smile." Meanwhile, Woodhouse’s run was halted by Aspinall after a swift four‑leg streak from the latter, who then hit a 135 finish to break throw.
Aspinall, averaging 96.27 and hitting eight 180s, responded with a 104 checkout to establish a two‑set lead, then won three consecutive legs to cement his place in the quarter‑finals. "As long as I can handle the pressure, which I think I have shown in these two games in the key moments, I am going to be tough to beat this week," Aspinall told Sky Sports. "If it all comes together, I am one of the best players in the world.
Everybody knows that but I have to prove it." Aspinall’s next opponent will be Ryan Joyce, who dominated his opening match of the evening, limiting Danny Noppert to just three legs and expressing frustration over the stage floorboards moving. The quarter‑finals are set to begin at 7 p.m., with matches played to the best of three sets. Fans can follow day four of the World Grand Prix live on Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Main Event, with coverage continuing daily through the final on Sunday. For those without a Sky subscription, the tournament can also be streamed via NOW with a no‑contract deal.