Saturday brings us to the thrilling semi-finals of the Grand Prix, a stage where four exceptional darts players — Nathan Aspinall, Gerwyn Price, Luke Humphries, and James Wade — are all eyeing the prestigious trophy. This is arguably one of the most unpredictable lineups in recent memory, with each contender possessing the skill and determination to go all the way. Get ready for two epic encounters as the format shifts to a longer best-of-nine sets, demanding even greater stamina and precision. We’ll delve into their journeys, key statistics, and head-to-head records to see who has the momentum to reach tomorrow night’s final.
Semi-Final 1: Nathan Aspinall vs. Gerwyn Price
This match features two of the week’s standout performers, promising a high-octane battle.
Nathan Aspinall’s Phenomenal Form
- Aspinall enters this semi-final on a high, having delivered an astounding performance in his quarter-final. He secured a **whitewash 3-0 victory** over Ryan Joyce, achieving an incredible **average of 105.15** – the fourth-highest in the Grand Prix’s 29-year history!
- His journey hasn’t been without its scares. In his opening match against Kevin Doets, Aspinall remarkably **survived two match darts** that could have sent him home.
- Since that crucial moment, he has been unstoppable, winning **eight consecutive sets** to power into his second Grand Prix semi-final, having previously reached the final in 2022.
Gerwyn Price’s Resilient Campaign
- “The Iceman,” Gerwyn Price, faced a much tougher path to the semi-finals. In his quarter-final, he demonstrated immense resilience, coming back from **2-0 down** and surviving **match darts** against fellow Welshman Jonny Clayton to win in a deciding leg.
- His earlier performances include a dominant 2-0 win over Krzysztof Ratajski with an impressive **101.61 average** (the only other 100+ average in the event besides Aspinall’s), and a comfortable 3-0 victory against Ross Smith.
- This marks Price’s **fifth Grand Prix semi-final**, a testament to his consistent presence at the top. He won the title in 2020 and reached the finals in 2021 and 2023.
Head-to-Head: A Fierce Rivalry
The overall head-to-head record between these two giants favors Price, who has won **20 out of their 34 meetings**. However, Aspinall has claimed victory in their **last two encounters**.
- It’s been a long time since they last met – nearly **18 months**, with their previous clash occurring in April 2025 during Night 11 of the Premier League.
- In major tournaments (excluding the Premier League), the rivalry is much closer, with **Aspinall holding a 4-3 lead**.
- Significantly, Aspinall defeated Price at this very stage (the semi-finals) in their only previous Grand Prix meeting in 2022.
Semi-Final 2: Luke Humphries vs. James Wade
This second semi-final pits the world number two against a veteran enjoying a remarkable resurgence.
Luke Humphries: Under Pressure at World #2
- World number two Luke Humphries arrives at this stage with an added layer of pressure: he **needs to win the Grand Prix title** to retain his coveted ranking. Without it, Gian van Veen is provisionally set to overtake him by Monday morning.
- Humphries has had a relatively smooth run in terms of sets, having **not lost a single set** on his way to the semi-finals, defeating Dave Chisnall, Vincent van der Voort, and Danny Noppert.
- Despite his unbeaten run in sets, his averages haven’t hit their usual peak, with two performances registering **sub-86 averages** and the other at 94.11. This suggests he still has gears to find.
- “Cool Hand Luke” is aiming for his **fourth consecutive Grand Prix final**, a feat only achieved by legends Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen in any ranked major. He won his first major title here in 2023 but lost in the final in the last two editions.
James Wade: The Resurgent Machine
- James Wade, a two-time Grand Prix champion (2007, 2010), is making his first semi-final appearance in this event since 2014, showcasing some of the **best darts of his illustrious career**.
- In a stunning quarter-final performance, he knocked out the **3rd seed, Gian van Veen**, losing only one leg and averaging an impressive **96.71**. This followed a 3-1 win over Stephen Bunting and a tight comeback victory against Joe Cullen in the first round.
- A major factor in Wade’s success this week has been his **exceptional 160-hitting** at the start of legs, a skill he demonstrated by hitting it in four consecutive legs against Stephen Bunting. This double-start format clearly plays to his strengths.
- This is Wade’s **sixth Grand Prix semi-final**, and he has a strong record, winning three of his previous five appearances at this stage.
Head-to-Head: Humphries’ Dominance
The head-to-head record between Humphries and Wade heavily favors the world number two, with Humphries winning **15 of their 22 meetings**, including their last three encounters.
- Their two most recent clashes in major tournaments saw Humphries emerge victorious: a **10-3 win** in the quarter-finals of the 2025 European Championships and a **deciding-leg triumph** at the 2025 World Series of Darts Finals.
- Wade’s last win against Humphries was also a tight affair, coming in a deciding leg at the 2025 UK Open, where he subsequently reached the final.
- While Humphries leads their major tournament head-to-head **6-4**, it’s a closer battle. Interestingly, they haven’t faced each other in **over 10 months**, adding an element of unpredictability to this semi-final.
The Grand Prix semi-finals are set to kick off from **20:15 BST in Leicester**, promising an evening of unparalleled darts action. The winners will advance to the highly anticipated final tomorrow, Sunday.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
