Gerwyn Price secured a place in an all‑Welsh quarter‑final encounter with 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 win over Sebastian Białecki, and it positioned Price for a Friday night showdown with his World Cup of Darts teammate. Price entered the tournament as one of the favourites, especially after the surprising early exit of teenage sensation Luke Littler. In his second‑round match, Price allowed Smith to claim the highest average of the opening round, yet he limited the Englishman to just four lost legs across a 3‑0 triumph.
The 2020 champion’s composure under pressure was evident when he recovered from an early break, hitting a 13‑dart finish to level the set and then clinching the opening set in a deciding leg. He followed that with an 86 checkout to take the second set and an 80 finish early in the third, before Smith narrowed the gap with a 116 checkout.
Price ultimately sealed the match with a decisive double 18, confirming his place in the next stage. Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Price was modest about his performance. “I don’t think it was a great game and I don’t think we played brilliant,” he said.
“We started well and finished well, but the bits in between were a little bit rubbish. I know Jonny is chasing a Grand Slam spot, so the pressure is on him. He got lucky in the first round – hopefully he doesn’t get lucky in the next round!” Jonny Clayton, meanwhile, produced a dazzling display of finishing to defeat Dutch qualifier Wessel Nijman 3‑1.
He opened the match with three consecutive ton‑plus checkouts, breaking immediately with a 112 finish, then holding his throw with a 116 checkout and sealing the first set with a 125 bullseye finish. After Nijman edged the second set with a 90 checkout in a final‑leg decider, Clayton responded by taking the third set with a 126 checkout, again on the bullseye. He continued his high‑scoring run, posting eight maximums during the match and finishing the leg sequence with a series of four legs in a row to secure his quarter‑final berth for the third year running. Clayton reflected on his performance, noting the importance of his opponents’ missed doubles.
“My scoring was good but, to be fair, Wessel missed a few chances on doubles and he gave me a few chances,” he told Sky Sports. “The two bullseyes were good, the 126 was good and I have a big smile.” On the other side of the draw, Ryan Joyce breezed through his second‑round match, overwhelming Danny Noppert in straight sets.
Joyce’s clinical play left Noppert winning only three legs, and the Englishman appeared frustrated by the shifting floorboards on the stage. In the same session, Luke Woodhouse, who had stunned Littler in the opening round, was dispatched by Nathan Aspinall in a one‑sided 3‑0 loss.
Aspinall, the 2023 Grand Slam champion, posted a solid average of 96.27 and hit eight 180s en route to a convincing win over Woodhouse. He broke Woodhouse’s throw early, followed by a 104 checkout to establish a two‑set lead. From there, Aspinall rattled off three successive legs, turning a 0‑2 deficit into a 3‑0 sweep and securing his place in the quarter‑finals.
After his victory, Aspinall emphasized his mental resilience. “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,” he said. “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 will be looking to maintain the momentum from his dominant performance against Noppert. The quarter‑finals promise high‑octane darts, with the all‑Welsh clash between Price and Clayton adding an extra layer of intrigue, especially as both players vie for a coveted Grand Slam qualification spot. The World Grand Prix continues to be broadcast live on Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Main Event from 7 pm each evening, with coverage running through to the final on Sunday. Fans can also stream the action via NOW with a flexible, contract‑free option.
The tournament’s unique double‑in, double‑out format ensures that every leg is a test of precision and nerve, making the upcoming quarter‑finals a must‑watch for darts enthusiasts worldwide.