James Wade and Nathan Aspinall have both produced statements on the oche that will surely send a clear warning to their upcoming semi‑final adversaries, setting the stage for an exhilarating Saturday night at the World Grand Prix. Aspinall’s quarter‑final against Ryan Joyce was nothing short of spectacular. He surged ahead with a 3‑0 whitewash, posting an average of 105.15 – a figure that would have eclipsed the tournament record had it not fallen just short. Nonetheless, his performance now ranks as the fourth‑highest average ever recorded in the event’s history and stands as the best average ever achieved in a World Grand Prix quarter‑final.
Wade, on the other hand, was equally ruthless. He dropped only a single leg as he "bashed up" world number two Gian van Veen in a match that lasted barely twenty minutes.
Sky Sports analyst Wayne Mardle summed up the display, saying, "That really was a performance to remember from Wade. From start to finish, he was absolutely devastating. World class." Three‑time world champion John Part echoed that sentiment, noting, "James isn’t just a great dart‑thrower; he’s a winner.
I 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 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, who reached the semi‑finals by dispatching debutant Neils Zonneveld 3‑0 in his quarter‑final. Humphries’ average of 85.91 mirrored Zonneveld’s, but his composure on crucial doubles made the difference, allowing the 2023 champion to book his fourth consecutive final‑four appearance.
After the match, Humphries admitted disappointment: "I felt really good in practice, but it didn’t feel great out there. It was as if I was the second‑best player for the first two sets, yet I still won 3‑0. I hope tomorrow night is better, because if it isn’t I won’t be here on Sunday." He added, "James is a tough task in itself. If I score the way I know I can, it’ll be a tough night for James.
If I don’t, it’ll be a tough night for me." Aspinall’s semi‑final opponent will be Michael "The Iceman" Smith, who rallied from two sets down to edge Jonny Clayton in a tightly contested all‑Welsh encounter, surviving three match darts before clinching the win. The prospect of a repeat of the 2022 semi‑final looms large for Aspinall, who fell short to Michael van Gerwen in that previous meeting.
Having captured his most recent major title at the 2023 World Matchplay, Aspinall is eager to add another trophy to his cabinet. "I feel like I can win this tournament, and I feel ready to win another major again.
There’s no reason why I can’t," he told Sky Sports after his stunning quarter‑final triumph 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 I’ve ever put on stage in my career." Both semi‑finals promise high drama. Wade’s precision and ruthless scoring will be tested against Humphries’ experience and resilience, while Aspinall’s confidence and momentum will clash with Smith’s icy composure under pressure. Fans can tune in from 8 p.m.
on Saturday to watch the live action on Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Main Event, with coverage continuing daily through to the final on Sunday. For those seeking flexible viewing options, NOW offers a contract‑free streaming deal, ensuring no one misses the climax of this thrilling tournament.