Gerwyn Price managed to survive three match darts and ultimately outlasted Jonny Clayton in a nail‑biting final‑leg showdown at the World Grand Prix, while James Wade delivered a commanding performance to eliminate third‑seed Gian van Veen in Leicester, securing a place against Luke Humphries in the semi‑finals. The Welsh showdown between Price and Clayton unfolded at the Mattioli Arena, where Price found himself two sets down early on. Demonstrating resilience, he clawed back by taking six of the next seven legs, leveling the match and forcing a decisive final set. Clayton, who had the opportunity to close the match in straight legs, missed a crucial match dart, allowing Price to drag the contest into a sudden‑death leg.
In that final leg, Price’s opponent again faltered, missing two more match‑winning darts, and the Welshman seized the moment, booking his fifth semi‑final appearance at the World Grand Prix in seven years. Price’s comeback was underpinned by an impressive display of scoring power.
After Clayton had taken the opening leg with a 110 and 117 checkout, the two traded legs before Price produced an 11‑dart break followed by a 12‑dart hold to claim the third set. He maintained an average of over 107 in that set and breezed through the fourth, setting up the final leg. Although he dropped the next two legs and missed several chances himself, Price’s composure under pressure saw him clinch the win.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Price reflected on the experience: "I know what it’s like to be in front and losing, but I felt I was the better player throughout. I’m just glad I got over the line. I thought I was dead and buried, but I never gave up." In the other quarter‑final, Nathan Aspinall produced a dominant performance against Ryan Joyce, posting a 105.15 average – the fourth‑highest in World Grand Prix history and the best ever recorded in a quarter‑final.
Aspinall raced through the opening set in just 42 darts, finishing with a 110 checkout and immediately taking a fourth straight leg to start the second set. Joyce responded with a spectacular 153 finish just to stay in the match, but Aspinall answered with a 112 checkout and a break early in the third set, eventually sealing the win with a 75 checkout.
After the match, 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. I feel like I can win this tournament and I’m ready to win another major again.
There’s no reason I can’t, and I’d love to lift the trophy on Sunday." Meanwhile, James Wade’s quarter‑final against Gian van Veen was a one‑sided affair. Wade stormed ahead, winning each of the first eight legs and not allowing Van Veen a dart at double until the third set, where the Dutchman finally broke through on his fourth attempt. Wade responded by holding his own throw and then, with the sixth seed holding throw on the top, completed a 3‑0 whitewash – his first appearance in the last four since 2014. Van Veen had hinted before the match that Wade might be the favorite, and Wade’s performance lived up to that expectation.
After the match, Wade told Sky Sports, "I was really fortunate Gian played like he did. 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 do alright." Wade’s victory sets up a semi‑final clash with 2023 champion Luke Humphries, who has continued his impressive run by not dropping a set in his recent matches, including straight‑sets wins over Dave Chisnall and Jermaine Wattimena. Humphries faced Niels Zonneveld, who missed a set dart that could have levelled the match, before Humphries built a two‑set cushion. Despite converting only 31 % of his doubles, Humphries delivered a series of clutch finishes in tight legs to secure a 3‑0 win.
He admitted to Sky Sports, "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, it will be a tough night for James.
If I don’t, it will be a tough night for me." The semi‑finals promise high‑stakes drama, with Price set to meet Aspinall and Wade facing Humphries. Both matches are scheduled to begin at 8 p.m., first to five sets, with live coverage on Sky Sports+ from 8 p.m. on Saturday and on Sky Sports Main Event from 8.30 p.m., continuing daily through to the final on Sunday. Viewers can also stream via NOW with the latest Sky Sports deals, ensuring fans have multiple options to catch the thrilling conclusion of the tournament.