The Boylesports World Grand Prix in Leicester has delivered thrilling darts action, with the first four quarter-finalists now confirmed. Darts titans Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton are set to face off in an all-Welsh showdown after impressive second-round victories. Price avenged a recent defeat against Ross Smith, while Clayton showcased stunning form. Nathan Aspinall also delivered a standout performance, and Ryan Joyce secured his spot, completing a night of high-stakes drama.
Price Avenge Smith Defeat, Sets Up Epic All-Welsh Clash with Clayton
The Mattioli Arena in Leicester was buzzing as the first four players secured their places in the quarter-finals of the Boylesports World Grand Prix. Among them, two Welsh giants, Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton, delivered compelling performances, setting the stage for a highly anticipated head-to-head.
Gerwyn Price, known as “The Iceman,” exacted sweet revenge against Ross Smith. Just last weekend, Smith had defeated Price in the World Series of Darts Finals. This time, Price was in formidable form, securing a dominant 3-0 second-round win. He limited Smith to just four legs throughout the match, finishing with an impressive average of over 90.
Price, clearly fired up, reflected on his victory: “It wasn’t a brilliant game, but a win’s a win and I’m still in the tournament. I probably put a little bit too much pressure on myself because of last week [against Smith].”
Looking ahead to his next opponent, Price added, “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!”
Jonny ‘The Ferret’ Clayton had confirmed his quarter-final place earlier in the evening, showcasing his exceptional talent. Clayton was in fine fettle, hitting eight 180s and converting four crucial ton-plus finishes in an assured 3-1 win over Wessel Nijman. His consistent play was reflected in an average of over 93, building on his strong first-round performance against Krzysztof Ratajski.
Aspinall’s Dazzling Display and Joyce’s Relentless Progress
The night also saw another standout performance from Nathan Aspinall. “The Asp” delivered what many considered the performance of the night, averaging in excess of 96 during a brilliant 3-0 victory against Luke Woodhouse. Woodhouse had previously made headlines by defeating Luke Littler in the first round, making Aspinall’s win even more significant.
Aspinall was clinical, firing in eight maximums and sealing the contest with a spectacular 106 finish, propelling him confidently into the next round.
Aspinall shared his thoughts on his form: “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.”
Aspinall’s next challenge will be against Ryan Joyce. “Relentless” Joyce lived up to his nickname, delivering a solid 3-0 win against Danny Noppert. The 2024 semi-finalist was rock-solid on his finishing doubles, cruising to a whitewash victory and demonstrating why he’s considered a formidable opponent.
The Road Ahead: Confirmed Quarter-Finalists and Upcoming Battles
With four quarter-final spots now filled, the competition intensifies. Here’s a quick look at the confirmed matches and the remaining second-round fixtures:
Confirmed Quarter-Final Matches:
- Gerwyn Price vs. Jonny Clayton
- Nathan Aspinall vs. Ryan Joyce
Remaining Second-Round Matches (Thursday October 1, 19:00 BST):
These matches will determine the rest of the quarter-final line-up:
- Niels Zonneveld v Gary Anderson
- James Wade v Stephen Bunting
- Luke Humphries v Jermaine Wattimena
- Gian van Veen v Ryan Searle
All matches are played in a Best of Five Sets format, meaning a player needs to win three sets to advance. Each set requires a player to win three legs, starting and finishing each leg with a double. This unique format adds an extra layer of challenge and excitement to the World Grand Prix.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
