Gerwyn Price pulled off a dramatic comeback, surviving three match darts to edge out Jonny Clayton in a nail‑biting final‑leg showdown at the World Grand Prix, while James Wade delivered a dominant performance to eliminate third‑seed Gian van Veen in Leicester and secure a quarter‑final clash with Luke Humphries. The all‑Welsh encounter between Price and Clayton unfolded at the Mattioli Arena and quickly turned into a classic. After falling two sets behind, Price rallied spectacularly, taking six of the next seven legs to level the match.
Clayton, however, managed to snatch the third set in a tense finish, only to miss a decisive match dart that would have sealed the set in straight legs. The miss forced the contest into a decisive final set, where Price again had a chance to close it out but squandered two match‑winning darts. Clayton’s composure wavered, and Price seized the moment, clinching the final leg and booking his place in the semi‑finals. Speaking to Sky Sports after the win, Price reflected on the pressure of being ahead and then trailing: "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.
I’m just glad I got over the winning line. I thought I was dead and buried, but I never gave up." His resilience was on full display; after a year‑long gap since his last semi‑final appearance, the Welshman now celebrates his fifth World Grand Prix semi‑final in seven years. In the other quarter‑final, James Wade was in imperious form against Dutch hopeful Gian van Veen.
Wade surged out of the blocks, winning the first eight legs without allowing Van Veen a single dart at double. It wasn’t until the third set that Van Veen finally got on the board, converting a double on his fourth attempt to claim his only leg of the match.
Wade, the sixth seed, then held his throw comfortably in the subsequent legs and sealed a 3‑0 victory, his first appearance in the last four since 2014. "I was really fortunate Gian played like he did," Wade told Sky Sports. "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." The other quarter‑final featured Nathan Aspinall, who posted a 105.15 average – the fourth‑highest ever recorded at the World Grand Prix and the best ever in a quarter‑final – as he dispatched Ryan Joyce in straight sets. Aspinall’s opening set was a blitz, finishing in just 42 darts and featuring a 110 checkout. Joyce fought back in the second set, producing a spectacular 153 finish to stay in the match, but Aspinall answered with a 112 checkout and a timely 75 finish to close out the contest convincingly. After the win, Aspinall said, "I’m really happy with that performance.
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." On the opposite side of the draw, Luke Humphries continued his unbeaten run, cruising past Niels Zonneveld 3‑0 without dropping a set.
Although Humphries only converted 31 percent of his doubles, his clutch finishing in tight legs proved decisive. He acknowledged the unremarkable nature of his performance but emphasized the importance of the result: "It’s one of those performances where you aren’t thrilled, but you win 3‑0. 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 semi‑final line‑up is now set: Price will meet Aspinall, while Wade prepares to face Humphries. Both matches promise high‑quality darts, as the remaining players have demonstrated both consistency and the ability to produce spectacular finishes under pressure.
For fans eager to watch the drama unfold, day six of the World Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sports+ from 8 p.m. on Saturday, with a secondary feed on Sky Sports Main Event beginning at 8.30 p.m. Coverage continues daily through to the final on Sunday, and viewers can also stream the action via NOW with the latest Sky Sports deals, all without a long‑term contract.