Nathan Aspinall surges into World Grand Prix semi-finals as Price comeback crushes Clayton

Nathan Aspinall produced his best-ever World Grand Prix performance to romp into the semi-finals in Leicester on Friday, as former champions Luke Humphries, Gerwyn Price and James Wade also progressed.

Aspinall produced a scintillating display at the Mattioli Arena, registering the fourth highest-average in the 28-year history of the World Grand Prix to thrash a helpless Ryan Joyce in straight sets.

The 2022 runner-up averaged 105.15 to continue his pursuit of a third televised ranking title and reach his first major semi-final of the season.

Aspinall raced to the opening set in just 42 darts, before converting clinical 110 and 112 finishes to double his lead with a remarkable 109.8 average.

Joyce threatened to halve the deficit with a spirited third-set revival, before the Stockport star produced legs of 13 and 14 darts to wrap up proceedings with another timely surge.

“I’m absolutely buzzing,” insisted the former UK Open and World Matchplay champion.

“I felt so relaxed and focused tonight. My starting was unbelievable; the amount of 152s I hit in those first two sets was ridiculous.

“I’m really happy with that performance. That’s probably one of the best performances I’ve ever produced in my career.

“I’ve been a lot more composed this week. I feel like I can win this tournament, and I feel like I’m ready to win another major again.”

Aspinall will now face Price in a repeat of their semi-final showdown four years ago, after the Welshman overturned a 2-0 deficit to topple his fellow countryman Jonny Clayton.

Clayton landed 110, 117 and 98 checkouts to establish a two-set lead, before the 2020 champion came roaring back in spectacular style.

Having averaged 107 in a blistering third set display, Price completed a clean sweep in the fourth stanza to restore parity, only for Clayton to regain control and lead 2-0 in the decider.

However, after missing a match dart at double 16 in leg three, Clayton then squandered a further two opportunities in a dramatic decider, allowing Price the chance to punish and complete the comeback.

“Obviously, I feel for Jonny,” reflected Price, who surrendered a two-set lead against Luke Littler at the same stage of last year’s competition.

“I know what it’s like to be ahead and lose here, but I felt like I was the better player all the way through the game and I was quite unlucky to be 2-0 down.

“I just felt like I was gifting Jonny some opportunities, but that’s the way darts goes sometimes and I had to stick in there.

“I’m in some decent form. I thought I was dead and buried there but I never give up, and for two sets in that match I was pretty much unplayable.”

Humphries and Wade will go head-to-head in Saturday’s second semi-final, following emphatic straight-set wins over Dutch duo Niels Zonneveld and Gian van Veen respectively.

2023 champion Humphries is yet to drop a set in this year’s tournament, following up whitewash wins over Dave Chisnall and Jermaine Wattimena with another comprehensive triumph against Zonneveld.

The pair remarkably posted identical averages, but Humphries’ clutch doubling proved decisive as he swept through to a fourth consecutive semi-final in Leicester.

“It’s one of those performance where you aren’t thrilled, but you win 3-0,” said Humphries.

“Hopefully tomorrow is a lot better because if it isn’t, I won’t be here on Sunday.

“The way I’m practicing, I feel really good, it’s just not been coming out this week. Against James, I know I need it to come out, it’ll be a tough task.

“To make four World Grand Prix finals on the trot would be super special. There’s not many players that will ever do that, and James will know he’s got a tough game as well.”

Wade dispatched Dutch number one Van Veen in devastating fashion, winning nine of the ten legs played to progress to his first World Grand Prix semi-final since 2014.

Van Veen was not afforded a dart at a finishing double until the penultimate leg of the contest, as a ruthless Wade averaged north of 96 to preserve his title hopes.

“I felt more up for it tonight,” revealed Wade, who lifted the title in 2007 and 2010.

“I was really fortunate that Gian didn’t perform and I capitalised on that.

“When I lost to Gezzy [Price] last weekend, I was tired and sluggish, but when I’ve been up for it in recent times, I’ve done alright.

“I’ve been feeling different in the last two months. Probably the last time I felt like this it was 2008 or 2009.”

World Grand Prix 2026 Day Five Results

Friday October 2

Quarter-Finals

Nathan Aspinall 3-0 Ryan Joyce
Gerwyn Price 3-2 Jonny Clayton
Gian van Veen 0-3 James Wade
Luke Humphries 3-0 Niels Zonneveld