Ross Smith celebrates (Photo by Taylor Lanning/PDC)
Ross Smith sent Gerwyn Price crashing out of the World Matchplay with a memorable Second Round triumph on Tuesday, as James Wade ended Nathan Aspinall’s title defence.
World number 13 Smith broke new ground in Blackpool as he progressed to the quarter-finals for the first time courtesy of an 11-9 defeat of 2022 finalist Price.
Price looked to be in control at 8-6 in front, but only for Smith to clinch five of the last six legs to secure a memorable win with the aid of thirteen 180s.
“It means everything to me to be in the quarter-finals,” said Smith. “I used to watch this tournament as a kid and I’ve worked really hard to get here.
“In the first part of the game neither of us were at the races, so I was trying to fire myself up.
“I kept telling myself to fight, I dug deep and got on with it.
“I’ve had a tough draw as well against Gerwyn and Josh Rock so that makes it even more satisfying.”
Meanwhile, 2007 champion Wade brought Aspinall’s reign as champion to an end with an 11-8 success, punishing his struggling opponent.
Wade raced into a 4-0 lead before Aspinall fought back, once again playing through the pain of an arm injury, to lead 8-7.
However, Wade finished the stronger, winning the last four legs without reply to book his place in the quarter-finals for the first time in five years.
“Nathan didn’t play how he can so I’m a lucky boy tonight,” said Wade, who is making his 19th consecutive World Matchplay appearance.
“But the main thing is I’m through and I’m happy to still be in the tournament.
“I’ve got nothing to prove; no one has won as many tournament as me apart from Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor.”
World number one Luke Humphries continued his bid for a first Betfred World Matchplay title with an 11-7 victory over Stephen Bunting.
Humphries impressed with a 102.3 average, though he had to recover from 6-5 down to defeat a determined Bunting.
The World Champion finished strongly, winning six of the last seven legs to book his place in the last eight for a second successive year.
“I didn’t have it all my own way,” said Humphries, a semi-finalist last year. “Stephen is a battler and he put me under pressure in every leg.
“He’s a lovely man and I can see why he gets so much support.
“It was a fantastic game of darts, it always is when we play each other.
“I know I can win it, I’ve won the biggest tournament in the world, it’s not going to be easy but I’m ready to fight for this title.”
Humphries will now face Dimitri van den Bergh in the Last Eight, after the Belgian avenged last year’s loss to Jonny Clayton.
2020 champion Van den Bergh landed a pivotal 112 checkout to move 8-5 ahead and went on to clinch the last three consecutive legs to reach the quarter-finals for the fourth time in five years.
“I’m exhausted,” admitted Van den Bergh. “I tried my hardest and I never gave up.
“I hit some big shots under pressure, I never thought I would beat Jonny 11-5 in this format, he is an amazing player.
“It’s not about who’s in front of me, it’s about what I need to do to get the best out of myself.”
Betfred World Matchplay 2024 Day Four Results
Tuesday July 16
Second Round
Gerwyn Price 9-11 Ross Smith Nathan Aspinall 8-11 James Wade Luke Humphries 11-7 Stephen Bunting Jonny Clayton 5-11 Dimitri Van den Bergh
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