Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton will meet in a blockbuster all-Welsh quarter-final at the BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix after both former champions impressed on Day Three at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester.
Price, the 2020 champion, secured a second consecutive straight-sets victory by defeating Ross Smith 3-0. Smith had beaten Price in last weekend’s World Series of Darts Finals final in Amsterdam, but Price gained revenge with a hard-fought 3-2 opening set, sealed with a 13-dart hold, before taking six of the next eight legs to complete an emphatic win without dropping a set. “It wasn’t a brilliant game, but a win’s a win and I’m still in the tournament,” said Price. “I probably put a little bit too much pressure on myself because of last week [against Smith]. I’ve got Jonny now. He’s a great friend of mine, but I think I’ve got a good record against him! I remember years ago in the final of this tournament he absolutely smashed me, but I know he’s chasing a Grand Slam spot, so the pressure is on him!”
Clayton, the 2021 champion, reached the quarter-finals for a third consecutive year with a 3-1 victory over Wessel Nijman. The Welshman averaged 93 and produced eight 180s, while four ton-plus checkouts proved decisive. Clayton stormed into an early lead after following a 112 checkout with a 116 before producing a spectacular 125 finish on the bull. Nijman fought back to level at one set apiece, but Clayton remained clinical on his doubles to secure his place in the last eight. “It felt good up there,” said Clayton, who would become the new Welsh number one if he were to win his second World Grand Prix title on Sunday. “Wessel is a great dart player. He’s got a massive future ahead of him, but he gave me chances which I took. I’m not happy to be Welsh number two. I’m world number five, but I want to be world number four and Welsh number one. It’s good competition!”
Nathan Aspinall and Ryan Joyce will contest the other quarter-final on the opposite side of the draw after both players secured straight-sets victories. Aspinall reached the last eight for the first time since finishing runner-up in 2022 by defeating Luke Woodhouse, who had stunned reigning champion Luke Littler in round one. The Stockport star averaged more than 96 and produced 104 and 106 checkouts to close out the final two sets. Aspinall had survived three match darts against Kevin Doets in his opening-round clash, but produced a much more assured display against Woodhouse. “I’m dead happy with that performance,” reflected Aspinall. “Tonight, I wanted to start how I finished [in round one] and my doubling in was a hell of a lot better tonight. I know I can score as well as anybody in the world of darts, and that’s what I practice on. Tonight it was up there with some of the best I’ve done on this stage. As long as I can handle the pressure, which I think I’ve shown already in these two games in the big moments… I’m going to be really tough to beat this week.”
Joyce produced another clinical display to defeat two-time semi-finalist Danny Noppert 3-0 in the evening’s opening contest. The 2024 semi-finalist followed up Monday’s stunning victory over six-time champion Michael van Gerwen with another impressive performance, converting 69% of his attempts at double. “I’m always confident here, and I’m confident that I can challenge,” said Joyce. “My finishing was really good, but my scoring wasn’t there today for some reason, so I’m going to try and work on it before the next game. I’m just pleased to get through, but I’ll probably have to up my game to have any chance of winning this tournament.”
The World Grand Prix quarter-final line-up will be completed on Thursday evening when the remaining four second-round ties take place. 2023 champion Luke Humphries faces Jermaine Wattimena, while two-time winner James Wade takes on Stephen Bunting. Elsewhere, Dutch number one Gian van Veen faces Ryan Searle, while Scottish icon Gary Anderson meets debutant Niels Zonneveld.
2026 BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix
Wednesday September 30
Round Two x4
Ryan Joyce 3-0 Danny Noppert (3-1, 3-1, 3-1)
Jonny Clayton 3-1 Wessel Nijman (3-0, 2-3, 3-1, 3-1)
Gerwyn Price 3-0 Ross Smith (3-2, 3-1, 3-1)
Nathan Aspinall 3-0 Luke Woodhouse (3-2, 3-1, 3-0)
Thursday October 1 (1900 BST)
Round Two x4
Niels Zonneveld v Gary Anderson
James Wade v Stephen Bunting
Luke Humphries v Jermaine Wattimena
Gian van Veen v Ryan Searle
Best of Five Sets
