James Wade and Nathan Aspinall have both produced statement‑making performances that will undoubtedly send a clear warning to their upcoming semi‑final opponents as the World Grand Prix builds toward a tantalising Saturday night lineup. Their displays were not merely impressive; they were emphatic, showcasing the kind of form that can turn a tournament on its head.
Aspinall, in particular, flirted with a new tournament‑record average as he swept past Ryan Joyce with a 3‑0 whitewash. His 105.15 three‑dart average ultimately settled as the fourth‑highest ever recorded in the event’s history and stands as the best average ever posted in a World Grand Prix quarter‑final. Such a figure is a clear indicator of his scoring power and composure under pressure, and it places him firmly among the elite performers who have ever taken the stage in Dublin.
Wade, for his part, was equally ruthless. He dropped only a single leg in a match that lasted just over twenty minutes, during which he "bashed up" world number two Gian van Veen in a manner that left little doubt about his intent.
In Wade’s own words, he simply wanted to dominate, and the result was a swift, decisive victory that left van Veen with little chance to recover. "That really was a performance to remember from Wade," Sky Sports analyst Wayne Mardle commented.
"From start to finish, he was absolutely devastating. World class." The former three‑time world champion John Part echoed that sentiment, noting that Wade was not just throwing well but also looking like a genuine winner.
"James is not just looking like a great dart thrower to me, he's looking like a winner," Part said. He added that Wade’s ability to read his opponent’s struggles and impose his own game plan is exactly what separates champions from the rest of the field. "I think he's a legitimate title contender here," Part concluded. Wade’s next challenge will be against former world number one Luke Humphries in the semi‑final.
Humphries reached the last four by cruising through his own quarter‑final 3‑0 against debutant Neils Zonneveld, but his performance was far from convincing. While he matched the Dutchman’s average of 85.91, it was his clutch finishing – the decisive double throws – that ultimately carried him through. The 2023 champion now eyes his fourth consecutive final‑four appearance, yet he admitted to feeling under‑whelmed after his own win. "I'm really disappointed.
I felt really good in practice, but I came out here tonight and it didn't feel great, to be honest," Humphries told Sky Sports. "It kind of felt like I was the second‑best player for the first two sets, but I got away with it.
It's one of those performances where you're not thrilled, but I won 3‑0. Hopefully tomorrow night is a lot better, because if it isn’t I won’t be here on Sunday." Humphries also weighed in on his prospective semi‑final opponent: "James [Wade] is a tough task in itself.
He's a tough player to play against. 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 psychological battle is as important as the scoring battle, and both players are aware that any lapse could prove costly.
On the other side of the draw, Aspinall will meet Peter "The Iceman" Wright in the second semi‑final after Wright staged a dramatic comeback from two sets down to edge Jonny Clayton in an all‑Welsh encounter, surviving three match darts before clinching the win. The Iceman’s resilience will test Aspinall, but the young Englishman appears especially confident heading into what will be a repeat of the 2022 semi‑final, a match he won before eventually falling to Michael van Gerwen in the final. Aspinall’s most recent major triumph came at the 2023 World Matchplay, and he is eager to add another trophy to his cabinet. "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," he told Sky Sports after his stunning quarter‑final demolition of Joyce. He went on to describe his mental state: "I'm absolutely buzzing.
All day I've felt so relaxed. I turned up tonight and felt so focused. 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." Both Wade and Aspinall have signalled that they are in peak form, and their upcoming semi‑finals promise high drama, high scoring, and perhaps the emergence of a new champion.
With the final scheduled for Sunday, the stakes could not be higher, and darts fans worldwide will be watching closely as the two men aim to translate their quarter‑final brilliance into a place in the championship match. The semi‑final action kicks off at 8 p.m. on Saturday, with the first player to win five sets advancing to the final. Live coverage will be available on Sky Sports+ from 8 p.m., with a broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event beginning at 8.30 p.m.
The tournament will continue each day through to the Sunday final, and viewers can also catch the action via NOW with a no‑contract streaming deal.