Gerwyn Price engineered a completely Welsh quarter‑final encounter with his World Cup teammate Jonny Clayton after dispatching Ross Smith in straight sets at the World Grand Prix in Leicester. The English venue, the Mattioli Arena, witnessed Price, a favourite following Luke Littler's surprising early exit, cruising through his opening round by beating Sebastian Białecki and then limiting Smith to just four lost legs in a 3‑0 triumph. Although Smith posted the highest average of the first round, Price’s clinical finishing ensured he advanced to face Clayton on Friday evening. Price’s performance was solid, but his average of 101.61 on Monday night dipped by more than ten points compared with his earlier form.
After an early break, he responded with a flawless 13‑dart leg, secured the opening set in a deciding leg and then continued his momentum. He wrapped up the second set with an 86 checkout and followed with an 80 finish in the third set. Smith managed a 116 checkout to briefly pull ahead, yet 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.
We started well and finished well, but the bits in between were a little bit rubbish. I know he [Clayton] is chasing a Grand Slam spot, so the pressure is on him. I think he got lucky in the first round – hopefully he doesn’t get lucky in the next round!" Clayton, meanwhile, opened his match against Dutch qualifier Wessel Nijman with three consecutive ton‑plus checkouts, establishing a 3‑1 victory that featured a 93.08 average and spectacular finishing.
He began the first set by breaking with a 112 checkout, followed by a 116 finish to hold his throw, and capped the set with a 125 bullseye finish. Nijman fought back, taking the second set with a 90 checkout in a final‑leg decider, but Clayton quickly regained the lead by hitting a bullseye and a 126 checkout to start the third.
Over the course of the match, Clayton recorded eight maximums and delivered four of the next six legs to seal his place in the quarter‑finals for the third year running. He later said, "My scoring was good but, to be fair, Wessel 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." In the other half of the draw, Ryan Joyce breezed 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. Aspinall, averaging 96.27 and hitting eight 180s, surged ahead early, breaking Woodhouse’s throw with a 135 checkout.
He then took out 104 to build a two‑set lead and proceeded to win three successive legs from 2‑0 down, confirming his quarter‑final berth. Speaking to Sky Sports, Aspinall remarked, "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.
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 the first player to win three sets progressing.
Fans can catch the action live on Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Main Event from Thursday evening, with daily coverage continuing through to the final on Sunday. Those without a Sky subscription can also stream via NOW, which offers contract‑free deals.
The tournament promises high‑stakes darts, intense rivalries, and the chance for both Price and Clayton to add another trophy to their growing collections.