James Wade and Nathan Aspinall have both produced headline‑grabbing performances that will undoubtedly force their upcoming semi‑final opponents to take notice, setting the stage for an exciting Saturday night line‑up at the World Grand Prix. Aspinall came within a whisker of breaking the tournament’s average record as he surged to a 3‑0 victory over Ryan Joyce.
His 105.15 three‑dart average ultimately settled as the fourth‑highest ever recorded in the event’s history and the best ever posted in a quarter‑final match. Such a figure not only highlights his scoring power but also signals a potential shift in the competitive balance as the competition moves into its later stages.
Wade, on the other hand, was equally ruthless. He dropped only a single leg and, in his own words, "bashed up" world number two Gian van Veen in a contest that lasted just over twenty minutes. The speed and precision of Wade’s play left little doubt about his intent to dominate the field.
"That really was a performance to remember from Wade," Sky Sports analyst Wayne Mardle observed. "From start to finish, he was absolutely devastating. World class." Three‑time world champion John Part echoed that sentiment, adding, "James is not just looking like a great dart thrower to me, he's looking like a winner.
I really have a lot of faith in James managing the other players, and that's what winners 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." Wade’s next challenge will be former world number one Luke Humphries, who reached the final four despite a relatively unconvincing display in his own quarter‑final.
Humphries dispatched debutant Neils Zonneveld 3‑0, matching the Dutchman’s average of 85.91, but it was his clutch finishing that made the difference and secured his fourth consecutive appearance in the semi‑finals. After his win, Humphries admitted to 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 the prospect of meeting 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's going to be a tough night for myself." In the other half of the draw, Aspinall will meet Peter "The Iceman" Price after Price rallied from two sets down to defeat Jonny Clayton in an all‑Welsh encounter, surviving three match darts before finally clinching the win. 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 that year.
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 impressive quarter‑final finish 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 my best performances ever on stage for my whole career." Both semi‑finals promise high drama: Wade versus Humphries and Aspinall versus Price.
With Wade’s ruthless efficiency, Humphries’s determination to improve, Aspinall’s confidence after a near‑record average, and Price’s resilience under pressure, the Saturday night sessions are set to be a showcase of top‑level darts. The action will commence at 8 p.m. on Saturday, with the first player to win five sets progressing to the final. Viewers can watch the sixth day of the World Grand Prix live on Sky Sports+ from 8 p.m., with a secondary feed on Sky Sports Main Event beginning at 8.30 p.m.
Coverage continues daily through to the championship match on Sunday. For those seeking flexible viewing options, the latest Sky Sports deals or a contract‑free stream on NOW are also available.