Price gains revenge on Clayton at the Grand Slam as Wade edges Cross to reach Semi-Finals

Gerwyn Price and James Wade will collide in the Semi-Finals of the 2021 Grand Slam of Darts after clinching hard-fought victories over Jonny Clayton and Rob Cross on Friday.

World Champion Price remained on course to claim a third Grand Slam title at the Aldersley Leisure Village after a battling 16-12 win over fellow Welsh star Clayton.

Wade, meanwhile, is aiming to reach his fourth Grand Slam final after overcoming Cross 16-14 in another tight contest.

Price avenged last month’s defeat to Clayton in the World Grand Prix final with a strong display as he held off his World Cup team-mate’s valiant fightback.

“I got over the winning line in the end and I’m pleased to be in the next round because that was a tough one to get through,” said Price.

“I should have blown him away early on but I’m letting people off the hook. I need to be playing a lot more and I haven’t this year.

“It was close, it was intense and I was fortunate that Jonny slipped up a couple of times and I did what I had to do.

“I flew out of the blocks but when it was 6-4 I should maybe have been 8-2 up, Jonny shouldn’t have been in the game but I’m letting people off.

“When my back was up against the wall, I didn’t want to let him get in front of me. I wasn’t at my best, but it was an exciting game, a close game and good for the crowd and people back home.”

Price opened up with a 13-darter, and followed a 100 checkout with a ten-dart leg and an 11-darter as he stormed into a 5-1 lead.

Clayton ignited his challenge with a 126 checkout and produced legs of 11, 14 and 13 darts in hitting back level at six-all.

Price took out 110 to regain the edge and pulled away to lead 11-8, only to see Clayton respond once more as he squared the tie after 24 legs.

The world number one held throw to lead 13-12, and punished Clayton’s miss at tops in the next to break, before finishing 66 and tops to secure his Semi-Final spot.

Wade won through to his fourth Grand Slam Semi-Final by defeating Cross 16-14 in a tight clash to open Friday’s action in Wolverhampton.

The three-time runner-up also had to overcome a mid-game change of darts, after a point snapped in the board, to continue his quest for a maiden Grand Slam triumph.

“It’s a gift to be in the semi-finals,” said Wade. “It was a struggle but I did enough at the right times.

“Rob wasn’t at his best and I took advantage of that. I’ve got mixed emotions – it was messy but I’m happy to move forwards.”

Cross got the better of the early exchanges – including completing a 13-darter despite two 180s from Wade, who replied with a 150 checkout – as he held a slender 5-4 cushion.

The left-hander, though, produced a superb five-leg burst to turn the match as he broke Cross’ throw three times to surge into a 9-5 advantage.

The next nine legs went with throw before Cross fired in a 13-darter to break and then held with a 70 finish as he pulled back to 13-12.

Wade responded in outstanding fashion with a 148 checkout to give himself breathing space, and traded 13-darters with Cross before closing out victory on double six.

Price believes he will need to be “sharper” if he is to end Wade’s hopes in Sunday’s Last Four clash.

“I need to improve if I want to win this tournament because I won’t get away with what I did today against James,” he added.

“I want to go on and win this tournament, it’s one of my favourite tournaments. Now I’m in the semi-finals hopefully I can start playing well and blow people away.

“I need to fly out of the blocks and put James under pressure, because if you give him shots he’ll ping them out.

“I need to take my opportunities, put him under pressure and hopefully get a good lead on him. I’m full of confidence.”

The Quarter-Finals conclude on Saturday with the remaining two ties, as three-time Grand Slam winner Michael van Gerwen faces Michael Smith before world number two Peter Wright takes on history-maker Fallon Sherrock.

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Grand Slam of Darts 2021 Day Seven Results

Friday November 19

Quarter-Finals

James Wade 16-14 Rob Cross
Gerwyn Price 16-12 Jonny Clayton