Gerwyn Price demonstrated remarkable resilience at the World Grand Prix, surviving three match darts to edge out Jonny Clayton in a nail‑biting final‑leg showdown. The encounter, staged at Leicester's Mattioli Arena, turned into a gripping all‑Welsh battle after Price fell two sets behind early on. Undeterred, he roared back, claiming six of the next seven legs to level the match and force a decisive fifth set. Clayton, who had the chance to close the match in straight legs, missed a crucial match dart and then watched Price force a last‑leg decider.
In that final leg, Price again missed two match‑winning darts, allowing the determined Welshman to snatch the victory and secure a place in the semi‑finals. The semi‑final opponent for Price will be Nathan Aspinall, who posted a staggering 105.15 average – the fourth‑highest ever recorded at a World Grand Prix and the best ever in a quarter‑final – during his dominant straight‑sets win over Ryan Joyce.
Aspinall’s performance, highlighted by a flawless 110 checkout in the opening set and a 112 finish in the second, underscored his intent to challenge for the title. Meanwhile, James Wade delivered a commanding performance against third‑seed Gian van Veen, dropping only a single leg in a 3‑0 victory. Wade seized the first eight legs of the match, denying Van Veen any chance at a double until the third set, where the Dutchman finally managed a leg on his fourth attempt. Wade then broke again in the fourth leg to seal a comprehensive win and book a quarter‑final clash with 2023 champion Luke Humphries.
A year after squandering a two‑set lead and losing a quarter‑final to Luke Littler in a sudden‑death leg, Price produced a textbook comeback to claim his fifth semi‑final appearance at the World Grand Prix in seven years. Clayton had shown his own brilliance, hitting 110 and 117 checkouts early on and taking the first leg of the final set, but Price responded with an 11‑dart break followed by a 12‑dart hold, posting an average of over 107 in the third set. He then cruised through the fourth set, only to see the match go to a final leg where he recovered from a two‑leg deficit and capitalised on Clayton’s missed opportunities to secure the win. "I know what it's like to be in front and losing, but I feel like I was the better player all the way through the game," Price told Sky Sports.
"I'm just glad I got over the winning line. I thought I was dead and buried, but I never gave up." Aspinall’s quarter‑final against Ryan Joyce was equally impressive. He blitzed through the opening set in just 42 darts, hitting a 110 checkout, and continued his momentum with a 112 finish in the second set. Joyce, fighting to stay in the match, produced a stunning 153 checkout just to hold his throw, but Aspinall’s relentless scoring and clinical finishing saw him close out the match with a 75 checkout, sealing a convincing 3‑0 win.
"I'm really happy with that performance," Aspinall said after the match. "My starting, my finishing, my 180s – it's probably one of my best performances ever on stage for my whole career. 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, and I'd love to win the trophy on Sunday." Van Veen had entered his quarter‑final against Wade confident, even suggesting Wade might be the favourite.
However, the Dutchman struggled, delivering a sub‑par display as Wade, often dubbed "The Machine," raced into the last four for the first time since 2014. Wade’s dominance was evident as he won each of the first eight legs, only conceding a single leg in the third set when Van Veen finally hit a double on his fourth attempt. Wade then broke again in the next leg to complete a 3‑0 sweep.
"I was really fortunate Gian played like he did," Wade reflected. "He was pretty poor and I capitalised on that and bashed him up. Tonight, I felt more up for it. When I'm feeling up for it, I've done alright." Wade’s next challenge will be against 2023 champion Luke Humphries, who has yet to drop a set in the tournament, cruising past Dave Chisnall and Jermaine Wattimena in straight sets.
Humphries faced Niels Zonneveld in the previous round, where Zonneveld missed a set dart to level the match before Humphries built a two‑set cushion. Despite converting only 31 % of his doubles, Humphries delivered clutch finishes in tight legs to secure a 3‑0 victory. "It's one of those performances where you aren't thrilled, but you win 3‑0," Humphries admitted. "Hopefully tomorrow is a lot better because if it isn't, I won't be here on Sunday.
If I score the way I know I can, then it will be a tough night for James. If I don't, it's going to be a tough night for myself." The tournament continues with matches starting at 8 pm, first to five sets.
Viewers can watch day six live on Sky Sports+ from 8 pm on Saturday, with additional coverage on Sky Sports Main Event from 8.30 pm and streaming options via NOW without a contract. The excitement builds toward the final on Sunday, where the remaining contenders will battle for the prestigious World Grand Prix title.