James Wade and Nathan Aspinall have both produced headline‑grabbing performances that will undoubtedly send a clear message to their upcoming semi‑final opponents as the World Grand Prix builds toward an exciting Saturday night lineup. In his quarter‑final clash, Aspinall was virtually unstoppable, cruising to a 3‑0 victory over Ryan Joyce. His average of 105.15 was not only close to a new tournament record but also secured the fourth‑highest average ever recorded in the event’s history and the highest ever posted in a World Grand Prix quarter‑final. Such a figure underscores the level of consistency and scoring power that Aspinall has been able to sustain throughout the match, and it places him firmly among the elite performers in the tournament’s modern era.
Wade, on the other hand, demonstrated ruthless efficiency against world number two Gian van Veen. The Englishman dropped only a single leg in a contest that lasted just over twenty minutes, effectively “bashing up” his highly‑rated opponent in a display that left spectators and pundits alike in awe. Sky Sports analyst Wayne Mardle summed up the performance succinctly, calling it "a performance to remember" and describing Wade as "absolutely devastating from start to finish – world class." Three‑time world champion John Part echoed that sentiment, noting that Wade not only looked like a superb dart‑thrower but also projected the confidence and composure of a true winner. Part added, "I have a lot of faith in James managing the other players – that’s what champions do.
They see what they have to work with and work against. 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." Looking ahead, Wade’s next challenge will be former world number one Luke Humphries, who reached the final four despite a relatively unconvincing 3‑0 quarter‑final win over debutant Neils Zonneveld. Humphries matched the Dutchman’s average of 85.91, but it was his clutch finishing on doubles that made the difference and secured his fourth consecutive appearance in the semi‑final stage. After his victory, Humphries admitted to Sky Sports that he was disappointed with his own level of play: "I felt really good in practice, but when I got out there it didn’t feel great, to be honest.
It 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 you still win 3‑0. Hopefully tomorrow night is a lot better, because if it isn’t I won’t be here on Sunday." Humphries also commented on the difficulty of facing Wade: "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 half of the draw, Aspinall will meet the in‑form "Iceman" Peter Price after Price rallied from two sets down to defeat Jonny Clayton in a tightly contested all‑Welsh encounter, surviving three match darts before edging the match.
This sets up a repeat of the 2022 semi‑final, a fixture that Aspinall knows well, having been the runner‑up to Michael van Gerwen in that year’s event. Aspinall’s confidence is palpable. His most recent major triumph came at the 2023 World Matchplay, but he is eager to add another trophy to his cabinet. Reflecting on his dominant quarter‑final win, he told Sky Sports, "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 went on to describe his mindset: "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." Both semi‑finals promise high drama. Wade’s precision and ruthless scoring will be tested against Humphries’ experience and ability to hit crucial doubles under pressure.
Meanwhile, Aspinall’s aggressive style and confidence will clash with Price’s resilience and late‑match composure. Fans can expect a night of high‑quality darts, strategic battles, and the ever‑present possibility of upsets as the tournament moves toward its climax. The semi‑final action begins 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 starting at 8:30 p.m. The World Grand Prix continues each day through to the Sunday final, and viewers can also catch the event via NOW TV with a no‑contract streaming option.