Gerwyn Price engineered an all‑Welsh quarter‑final encounter with his World Cup of Darts teammate Jonny Clayton after dispatching Ross Smith in straight sets at the World Grand Prix in Leicester. The victory came on the same night that Ryan Joyce and Nathan Aspinall also secured their places in the last eight, setting up a compelling lineup of matches for the remainder of the tournament. Price entered the second round as one of the favorites, especially after the surprising early departure of teenage prodigy Luke Littler. He had already shown his intent by cruising past Sebastian Białecki in the opening round, and he continued that form against Smith, conceding only four legs in a 3‑0 triumph at the Mattioli Arena.
Although Smith posted the highest three‑dart average of the first round, Price’s clinical finishing and steady scoring allowed him to dominate the encounter and book a Friday evening showdown with Clayton. The Welshman’s average of 101.61 on Monday night dipped slightly compared with his earlier performance, but he recovered from an early break with a brilliant 13‑dart finish, followed by a decisive leg that clinched the opening set in a deciding leg. He then sealed the second set with an 86‑checkout and an early 80 finish in the third set, before Smith briefly pulled one back with a 116 finish.
Price ultimately closed the match on a double 18, confirming his place in the quarter‑finals. In a parallel match, Jonny Clayton displayed why he is regarded as one of the sport’s most dangerous finishers. He opened the contest against Dutch qualifier Wessel Nijman with three consecutive ton‑plus checkouts, breaking early with a 112 finish, holding his throw with a 116, and then hitting a 125 bullseye to take the first set in straight legs.
After Nijman narrowed the gap with a 90 finish in a deciding leg for the second set, Clayton responded by taking the third set with a spectacular 126 checkout on the bull. Throughout the match he recorded eight maximums and delivered four of the next six legs to seal a 3‑1 victory, ensuring his third straight appearance in the quarter‑finals.
Clayton commented on his performance, noting that his scoring was solid and that Nijman missed several double opportunities, which gave him extra chances. He highlighted the two bullseyes and the 126 finish as key moments that left him smiling. Meanwhile, Ryan Joyce breezed through his second‑round match, defeating Danny Noppert in straight sets without dropping a leg.
Joyce’s dominance was evident as Noppert struggled to adapt to the stage’s moving floorboards, winning only three legs in total. Joyce’s steady hand and high scoring rate earned him a comfortable place in the last eight, where he will meet the in‑form Nathan Aspinall. Nathan Aspinall’s path to the quarter‑finals was equally impressive.
After a 3‑0 demolition of Luke Woodhouse, who had earlier upset Littler, Aspinall showed a relentless scoring power, averaging 96.27 and hitting eight 180s. He broke Woodhouse’s throw early with a 135 finish, then followed with a 104 checkout to build a two‑set lead. From 2‑0 down in the third set, Aspinall rallied to win three consecutive legs, sealing his quarter‑final berth. Aspinall spoke confidently to Sky Sports, emphasizing his ability to handle pressure and his belief that he is among the world’s elite players.
He acknowledged that the key moments of the tournament would test his composure, but he feels ready to meet any challenge. The upcoming quarter‑finals promise high drama: Price will face his compatriot Clayton, a match that not only pits two of Wales’ best against each other but also carries the added narrative of Clayton’s pursuit of a Grand Slam spot.
Aspinall will take on the in‑form Joyce, whose flawless performance against Noppert suggests he is in top form. Fans can tune in from 7 p.m. on Thursday for the next round of action, with the World Grand Prix continuing daily until the final on Sunday. The tournament is broadcast live on Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Main Event, with additional streaming options available through NOW without a contract.
This stage of the competition will determine who advances to the semi‑finals and ultimately who will lift the coveted trophy at the end of the week.