Gerwyn Price gains revenge on Ross Smith to set up Jonny Clayton clash at the World Grand Prix

Former champions Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton will collide in a blockbuster quarter-final at the 2026 World Grand Prix after pulling off dominant wins in Leicester on Wednesday.

Following his blistering first round showing against Sebastian Bialecki, Price continued his charge at the Mattioli Arena with another straight-sets success against Ross Smith.

Smith thrashed Price to lift the World Series Finals title last weekend, but the Welshman gained immediate revenge to set up a showdown against his fellow countryman Clayton.

Price produced a 13-dart hold to claim a hard-fought opening set, before winning six of the next eight legs to cap off a dominant display.

“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.

“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, landed four ton-plus checkouts en route to a 3-1 victory over Wessel Nijman, firing in eight 180s to cap off a terrific all-round display.

The 51-year-old made an electrifying start to the contest, following up 112 and 116 checkouts with a show-stopping 125 finish on the bull.

Nijman responded valiantly to restore parity at one set apiece, but Clayton maintained his ruthless precision on the outer ring to reach the quarter-finals for a third consecutive year.

“It felt good up there,” admitted Clayton. “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 also lock horns in the quarter-finals, after the pair registered straight-set victories over Luke Woodhouse and Danny Noppert respectively.

Aspinall will feature in the Last Eight for the first time since finishing runner-up in 2022, after overcoming Luke Littler’s conqueror Woodhouse in emphatic fashion.

It proved to be a case of ‘after the lord mayor’s show’ for Woodhouse – who averaged just 86 with 3/14 on finishing doubles in a disappointing display.

Aspinall, who averaged 96, producing checkouts of 104 and 106 to close out each of the last two sets in an accomplished performance.

“I’m dead happy with that performance,” admitted Aspinall, who survived match darts in his first round tie against Kevin Doets.

“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, meanwhile, ran out a comprehensive 3-0 winner over two-time semi-finalist Noppert in the evening’s opener, having dumped out six-time champion Michael van Gerwen on opening night.

Noppert appeared visibly distracted by what he claimed was a loose floorboard on the stage, and the Dutchman failed to find his top form, winning just three of the 12 legs contested.

2024 semi-finalist Joyce was relentless in the doubling department, converting 69 per cent of his attempts on the outer ring to continue his impressive record in the sport’s double-start showpiece.

“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.”

World Grand Prix 2026 Day Three Results

Wednesday September 30

Second Round

Danny Noppert 0-3 Ryan Joyce
Jonny Clayton 3-1 Wessel Nijman
Gerwyn Price 3-0 Ross Smith
Nathan Aspinall 3-0 Luke Woodhouse