Gerwyn Price secured a place in an all-Welsh quarter-final encounter with his World Cup of Darts teammate Jonny Clayton after dispatching Ross Smith in straight sets at the World Grand Prix in Leicester. The victory came after Price’s opening‑round triumph over Sebastian Białecki, and it placed him squarely among the tournament favourites, especially after the surprising early exit of Luke Littler. In the match against Smith, Price dropped only four legs, cruising to a 3‑0 win at the Mattioli Arena despite being out‑scored on average by his opponent, who had posted the highest first‑round average. Price’s composure in the crucial moments, including a decisive 13‑dart finish to level the first set and a final‑leg decider, ensured his progression and set up a Friday night showdown with Clayton.
Clayton, meanwhile, demonstrated his finishing prowess by opening his match with three consecutive ton‑plus checkouts. He continued this form to claim a 3‑1 victory over Dutch qualifier Wessel Nijman, posting a 93.08 average and delivering four high‑checkout finishes, including a 112, a 116, and a bullseye‑finished 125. These performances propelled the 12th seed into the quarter‑finals for the third year in a row. Clayton’s confidence was evident as he reflected on his scoring and the missed doubles by Nijman, noting that the Dutchman’s lapses gave him extra chances to capitalize.
In other sections of the draw, Ryan Joyce breezed past Danny Noppert with a straight‑sets win, while Luke Woodhouse – who had caused an upset by eliminating Littler in the first round – was swept aside by Nathan Aspinall in a one‑sided 3‑0 encounter. Aspinall, averaging 96.27 and hitting eight 180s, broke Woodhouse’s throw early, followed by a clean 104 checkout to establish a two‑set lead.
He then produced a run of three consecutive legs to seal his quarter‑final spot, emphasizing his ability to thrive under pressure and his belief that he is among the world’s elite players. Price’s performance on Monday night was marked by a 101.61 average, though this was more than ten points lower than his opening‑round figure.
After an early break, he responded with a 13‑dart finish to level the set and later secured an 86 checkout to take the second set. A crucial 80 checkout early in the third set gave him momentum, but Smith fought back with a 116 finish to break and extend the match. Ultimately, Price closed the contest on a double 18, acknowledging to Sky Sports that the match was not flawless, but praising the strong starts and finishes while admitting that the middle portions were sub‑par.
He also warned Clayton that the pressure of chasing a Grand Slam spot could be a double‑edged sword, hoping his compatriot would not rely on luck in the next round. Clayton’s opening set was a display of precision, as he broke Smith’s throw with a 112 checkout, followed by a 116 to hold his own throw, and capped the set with a bullseye‑finished 125. Nijman answered by taking the second set with a 90 checkout in a deciding leg, but Clayton quickly regained control in the third, hitting a 126 checkout on the bullseye.
Over the course of the match, Clayton recorded eight maximums and delivered several high‑checkout finishes, allowing him to reel off four of the next six legs and secure his quarter‑final berth. Woodhouse’s brief resurgence after halting Littler’s title defence was cut short by Aspinall, who broke him early and then hit a 135 checkout to take the first set. Aspinall’s composure continued as he maintained his lead, emphasizing his mental strength and his determination to prove his status as one of the sport’s top competitors. He expressed confidence that, as long as he can manage pressure, he will be difficult to defeat throughout the remainder of the week.
Looking ahead, Aspinall will meet Ryan Joyce, who dominated his opening match of the evening, limiting Danny Noppert to just three legs and expressing frustration over the stage’s moving floorboards. The quarter‑finals are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., with the format being first to three sets.
Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Main Event from Thursday evening, with daily coverage continuing through to the final on Sunday. For those without a Sky subscription, streaming options are available via NOW, offering a contract‑free way to watch the tournament.
The World Grand Prix continues to deliver high‑quality darts, with Welsh players prominently featured in the latter stages. Price’s methodical play, Clayton’s finishing flair, and Aspinall’s aggressive scoring all contribute to a compelling narrative as the competition moves toward its climax.
The upcoming quarter‑finals promise intense match‑ups, and the potential for further upsets remains high, especially as players vie for crucial ranking points and the coveted Grand Slam qualification. Viewers are encouraged to tune in for the live broadcasts, which provide not only the excitement of the matches but also insightful commentary and analysis from the sport’s leading experts.