James Wade and Nathan Aspinall have both produced statement‑making performances that will surely have sent a clear warning to their upcoming semi‑final opponents as the World Grand Prix builds toward a tantalising Saturday night programme. Aspinall’s quarter‑final against Ryan Joyce was nothing short of spectacular. He surged ahead with a 3‑0 whitewash, posting an average of 105.15 – a figure that not only flirted with the tournament’s all‑time record but also secured the fourth‑highest average ever recorded in the event’s history and the highest ever achieved in a Grand Prix quarter‑final.
Such a high‑scoring display underscored Aspinall’s intent to challenge for the title. Wade, on the other hand, demonstrated ruthless efficiency.
In a match that lasted barely 20 minutes, he dropped only a single leg while "bashing up" world number two Gian van Veen. Wade’s relentless on‑slaught left little room for his opponent to recover, and the swift victory highlighted his sharp form heading into the later stages. Sky Sports analyst Wayne Mardle summed up Wade’s performance succinctly: "That really was a performance to remember from Wade. From start to finish, he was absolutely devastating – world class." Three‑time world champion John Part echoed this sentiment, adding, "James isn’t just a great dart‑thrower, he looks like a winner.
I have a lot of faith in James managing the other players, and that’s what winners do – they see what they have to work with and work against it. At the start of the match, James saw his opponent struggling and put his foot down to get the job done. I think he’s a legitimate title contender here." In the other half of the draw, former world number one Luke Humphries secured a 3‑0 quarter‑final win over debutant Neils Zonneveld. While the scoreline suggests dominance, Humphries’ average of 85.91 mirrored Zonneveld’s, indicating a tighter contest than the numbers imply.
Humphries’ decisive finishing – particularly his clutch doubles – proved the difference and propelled him into the semi‑finals for the fourth consecutive year. Post‑match, Humphries admitted to feeling under‑whelmed: "I’m really disappointed.
I felt really good in practice, but when I got out there it didn’t feel great, to be honest. It kind of felt like I was the second‑best player for the first two sets, but I got away with it.
It’s one of those performances where you’re not thrilled, but you still win 3‑0. Hopefully tomorrow night is a lot better, because if it isn’t I won’t be here on Sunday." He also spoke about his upcoming semi‑final opponent, Wade: "James is a tough task in itself. He’s a tough player to play against. If I score the way I know I can, then it will be a tough night for James.
If I don’t, it’ll be a tough night for me." Aspinall’s next challenge will be against the in‑form "Iceman" Peter Wright, who rallied from two sets down to defeat Jonny Clayton in an all‑Welsh quarter‑final, surviving three match darts before clinching the win. Wright’s comeback adds an extra layer of intrigue to the semi‑final clash. Aspinall, however, appears particularly confident heading into what will be a repeat of the 2022 semi‑final, a match he won before eventually falling to Michael van Gerwen in the final that year.
His most recent major triumph came at the 2023 World Matchplay, and he is eager to add another trophy to his cabinet. Speaking to Sky Sports after his dominant quarter‑final, Aspinall said, "I feel like I can win this tournament, and I feel like I’m ready to win another major again. There’s no reason why I can’t.
I’m absolutely buzzing. All day I’ve felt so relaxed. I turned up tonight and felt so focused. I’m really happy with that performance – my starting, my finishing, my 180s – it’s probably one of the best performances ever on stage in my whole career." Both Wade and Aspinall have now set the bar high, and their semi‑final encounters promise to be high‑octane affairs.
Wade will meet Humphries in a match that pits Wade’s ruthless precision against Humphries’ experience and finishing prowess. Meanwhile, Aspinall will test Wright’s resilience after the Welshman’s dramatic comeback. Fans can catch all the action from 8 p.m. on Saturday when the semi‑finals go live on Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Main Event (starting at 8:30 p.m.).
The tournament will continue through Sunday, culminating in a final that could see either Wade or Aspinall lift the trophy. For those without a Sky subscription, the latest Sky Sports deals or a contract‑free streaming option via NOW TV are available.