Gerwyn Price engineered a fully Welsh quarter-final encounter with his World Cup 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 fellow Englishmen Ryan Joyce and Nathan Aspinall also secured their places in the last eight.
Price entered the tournament as one of the favourites, especially after the surprising early defeat of teenage sensation Luke Littler. He opened his campaign with a solid win over Sebastian Białecki and then, in the second round, allowed himself only four legs against Smith at the Mattioli Arena. Although Smith posted the highest average of the opening round, Price’s clinical finishing and tight defence meant he wrapped up a 3-0 triumph, guaranteeing a Friday night showdown with his World Cup partner Clayton. The match statistics underline Price’s consistency: he averaged 101.61 across his Monday night performances, but his figure dipped by more than ten points against Smith.
After an early break, Price responded with a flawless 13‑dart leg to level the score, then clinched the opening set in a deciding leg. He followed that by taking out an 86 finish to seal the second set and an 80 checkout early in the third. Smith managed a 116 finish to break and briefly pull ahead, but Price sealed the match with a decisive double 18.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Price was candid about his level of play. “I don’t think it was a great game and I don’t think we played brilliant,” he said.
“We started well and finished well in patches, but the middle part was a little bit rubbish. I know Jonny is chasing a Grand Slam spot, so the pressure is on him. He got lucky in the first round – hopefully he doesn’t get lucky again.” Clayton, meanwhile, produced a spectacular start to his match against Dutch qualifier Wessel Nijman. He opened the contest with three consecutive ton‑plus checkouts, breaking Smith’s opponent’s throw with a 112 finish, then holding with a 116, and finally hitting a 125 bullseye to take the first set without dropping a leg.
Nijman fought back, snatching a leg with a 90 finish to force a deciding leg in the second set, which he won. Clayton then reclaimed momentum in the third, delivering a bullseye to set up a 126 checkout and eventually pulling ahead to 3-1.
The Englishman’s scoring was impressive, highlighted by eight maximums and a series of high finishes, including two bullseyes and the 126. He wrapped up the match by taking four of the next six legs, securing his third consecutive quarter‑final appearance at the event.
“My scoring was good but, to be fair, Wessel missed a few chances on doubles and gave me opportunities,” Clayton told Sky Sports. “The two bullseyes were great, the 126 was nice and I have a big smile.” In the other half of the draw, Luke Woodhouse, who had stunned Littler in the first round, saw his run end abruptly at the hands of Nathan Aspinall.
Woodhouse lost the first four legs before producing a 135 finish to break his opponent’s throw. Aspinall, averaging 96.27 and hitting eight 180s, immediately answered with a 104 checkout to open a two‑set lead.
He then won three straight legs from 2‑0 down in the following set, confirming his place in the quarter‑finals. Aspirational and confident, Aspinall explained his mindset: “As long as I can handle the pressure, which I think I have shown in these two games in the key moments, I am going to be tough to beat this week.
If everything comes together, I am one of the best players in the world. Everybody knows that but I have to prove it.” Aspinall’s next opponent will be Ryan Joyce, who dominated his opening match of the evening, limiting Danny Noppert to just three legs and expressing frustration at the shifting stage floorboards. The quarter‑finals will therefore feature an all‑Welsh clash between Price and Clayton, a British showdown between Aspinall and Joyce, and the remaining two spots will be decided later in the evening. The World Grand Prix continues with matches scheduled from 7 p.m., first to three sets.
Fans can watch day four live on Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Main Event, with daily coverage running through to the final on Sunday. For those without a Sky subscription, the tournament is also available via NOW with a contract‑free streaming option.