James Wade and Nathan Aspinall have both produced headline‑grabbing performances that will force their upcoming semi‑final opponents to take notice as the World Grand Prix builds toward a tantalising Saturday night schedule. Aspinall came within a whisker of setting a new tournament record average when he thundered past Ryan Joyce with a 3‑0 whitewash. His 105.15 three‑dart average not only ranks as the fourth‑highest ever recorded in the event’s history, but it also stands as the best average ever achieved in a quarter‑final match at the Grand Prix. Wade, for his part, was equally ruthless.

He dropped a single leg and, in his own words, "bashed up" world number two Gian van Veen in a contest that lasted barely twenty minutes. The speed and precision of Wade’s display left spectators and pundits alike in awe. "That really was a performance to remember from Wade," Sky Sports analyst Wayne Mardle remarked. "From start to finish, he was absolutely devastating.

World class." Three‑time world champion John Part echoed that sentiment, adding: "James isn’t just a great dart‑thrower, he looks like a winner. I have a lot of faith in James managing the other players – that’s what winners do. They see what they have to work with and work against it.

At the start of the match James saw his opponent struggling and put his foot down to get the job done. I think he’s a legitimate title contender here." Wade’s next challenge will be former world number one Luke Humphries in the semi‑final. Humphries’ quarter‑final win over debutant Neils Zonneveld was also a 3‑0 triumph, but his performance lacked the conviction displayed by Wade. Humphries averaged 85.91, matching Zonneveld’s figure, and it was his decisive double finishes that ultimately secured his place in the last four for a fourth consecutive year.

After the match, Humphries told Sky Sports: "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.

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." He also commented on his prospective opponent: "James 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’ll be a tough night for me." In the other semi‑final, Aspinall will meet Michael Smith after the Englishman rallied from two sets down to defeat Jonny Clayton in an all‑Welsh showdown, surviving three match darts before edging the encounter. Aspinall appears particularly confident heading into what will be a repeat of the 2022 semi‑final, a match he won on his way to finishing runner‑up to Michael van Gerwen. His most recent major triumph came at the 2023 World Matchplay, and he is eager to add another title to his résumé. "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," Aspinall told Sky Sports after his spectacular quarter‑final victory over Joyce. "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 the best performances ever on stage for my whole career." The semi‑finals are set to kick off at 8 p.m. on Saturday, with the first player to claim five sets advancing to the final. Fans can catch the action live on Sky Sports+ from 8 p.m. and on Sky Sports Main Event from 8:30 p.m., with daily coverage continuing through to the championship match on Sunday.

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