Gerwyn Price pulled off a remarkable comeback, surviving three match darts to edge out Jonny Clayton in a nail‑biting final‑leg thriller at the World Grand Prix, while James Wade delivered a commanding performance to eliminate third‑seed Gian van Veen in Leicester, securing a place in the semi‑finals for Luke Humphries. The showdown between Price and Clayton unfolded at the Mattioli Arena in a wholly Welsh encounter that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. After dropping the first two sets, Price rallied with ferocious intensity, claiming six of the next seven legs to level the match at 2‑2.
Clayton, however, managed to edge ahead in the decisive fifth set, only to miss a match‑winning dart that would have sealed the victory in straight legs. The miss forced the contest into a sudden‑death final leg, where Price again missed two crucial darts that could have ended the match in his favour. Undeterred, he seized the moment, capitalising on Clayton's errors to claim the final leg and, with it, a coveted semi‑final berth.
In the aftermath, Price reflected on his resilience, telling Sky Sports, "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 performance secured a quarter‑final clash with Nathan Aspinall, who had produced a historic 105.15 three‑dart average – the fourth‑highest ever recorded at the World Grand Prix and the best ever in a quarter‑final – during his straight‑sets demolition of Ryan Joyce. Aspinall's path to the semi‑final was equally impressive.
He blitzed through the opening set in just 42 darts, finishing with a 110 checkout that set the tone for the match. Joyce fought back in the second set, producing a spectacular 153 finish to stay alive, but Aspinall responded with a clinical 112 checkout and a timely 75 finish to close out the second set.
He then broke early in the third, forcing Joyce to miss two set darts before sealing a convincing 3‑0 victory. "I'm really happy with that performance," Aspinall said afterwards. "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." Meanwhile, James Wade's quarter‑final against Gian van Veen was a masterclass in dominance. Wade surged ahead, taking the first eight legs without reply and preventing Van Veen from getting a single dart at double until the third set. Van Veen finally broke through on his fourth attempt in that set, securing the only leg he would win, but Wade quickly re‑asserted control, holding his throw in the next leg and completing a 3‑0 sweep – his first appearance in the World Grand Prix last four since 2014. Wade praised his own form, noting, "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've done alright." Wade's next opponent will be 2023 champion Luke Humphries, who has continued his impressive run by not dropping a single set. Humphries dispatched Niels Zonneveld 3‑0, despite converting just 31 % of his doubles, by delivering clutch finishes in tightly contested legs. After the win, Humphries admitted, "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 quarter‑finals also featured a dramatic narrative for Price, who, exactly one year after squandering a two‑set lead and losing a quarter‑final decider to Luke Littler, orchestrated his own comeback to secure his fifth World Grand Prix semi‑final in seven years. Clayton had initially taken the lead by hitting 110 and 117 finishes and surviving set darts, but Price responded with an 11‑dart break and a 12‑dart hold in the third set, averaging over 107.
He then breezed through the fourth set, forcing a final‑leg showdown. After losing the first two legs of the decider and missing several match darts himself, Price ultimately prevailed, underscoring his tenacity and mental fortitude. The event, broadcast from 8 p.m.
with the first‑to‑five‑sets format, continues to attract a global audience. Fans can watch the remainder of the World Grand Prix live on Sky Sports+ from 8 p.m. on Saturday, with additional coverage on Sky Sports Main Event from 8.30 p.m. and streaming options via NOW without a contract.
The tournament promises more high‑stakes drama as the remaining semi‑finalists vie for the prestigious title, with the final slated for Sunday.