Gerwyn Price secured a place in an all‑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 victory came on the heels of a dominant opening‑round performance against Sebastian Białecki, and it placed Price among the tournament favourites, especially after the surprising early exit of rising star Luke Littler. In the second‑round match at the Mattioli Arena, Price displayed his trademark consistency, conceding only four legs in a 3‑0 win over Smith. Although Smith posted the highest average of the first round, Price’s efficiency and clinical finishing proved decisive.
The 2020 champion’s ability to limit leg losses allowed him to set up a Friday night showdown with fellow Welshman Clayton, a pairing that also represents Great Britain in the World Cup of Darts. Clayton entered his match against Dutch qualifier Wessel Nijman with confidence, opening the contest with three consecutive ton‑plus checkouts.
He ultimately recorded four such high‑scoring finishes, cruising to a 3‑1 triumph. His 93.08 average and composure under pressure helped him overcome the 12th seed, showcasing the kind of finishing prowess that has become his trademark. On the same evening, Ryan Joyce breezed past Danny Noppert in a straight‑sets victory, while Luke Woodhouse—who had stunned Littler in the first round—was eliminated after a one‑sided 3‑0 loss to Nathan Aspinall. Aspinall’s performance was particularly impressive; he averaged 96.27, hit eight 180s, and demonstrated a relentless break‑and‑hold rhythm that left Woodhouse with little chance to recover.
Price’s statistics for the night reflected his high standard: a 101.61 average in his opening match, though slightly lower than his earlier display against Białecki. He recovered from an early break by delivering a flawless 13‑dart leg, then clinched the opening set in a nail‑biting final‑leg decider.
The world No. 4 followed up with an 86 checkout to take the second set and an 80 finish early in the third.
Smith briefly surged back with a 116 checkout to break, but Price sealed the match on a double 18, confirming his spot in the quarter‑finals. Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Price was candid about his performance: "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 also acknowledged the pressure on Clayton, noting that his opponent is eyeing a Grand Slam qualification and would need to avoid relying on luck in the next round.
Clayton’s own comments highlighted his confidence in the scoring department, though he gave credit to Nijman’s missed doubles: "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." His eight maximums and a string of impressive finishes underscored his intent to reach the quarter‑finals for a third year running. Woodhouse’s campaign ended abruptly after his loss to Aspinall.
The Englishman fell behind early, losing the first four legs before finally hitting a 135 checkout to break his opponent’s throw. Aspinall then responded with a 104 finish to establish a two‑set lead, and he quickly added three consecutive legs to cement his quarter‑final berth.
Aspirational as ever, Aspinall told Sky Sports, "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." His next challenge will be against 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 set to begin at 7 pm on Thursday, with the format of first to three sets. Fans can watch the action live on Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Main Event, with coverage continuing daily through the final on Sunday.
For those without a Sky subscription, streaming options are available through NOW with no contract required. Overall, the World Grand Prix continues to deliver high‑octane darts, with Welsh players poised to dominate the latter stages. Price’s steady hand, Clayton’s finishing flair, and Aspinall’s relentless aggression set the stage for a thrilling quarter‑final lineup that promises both drama and top‑level competition.