Welsh dart player Gerwyn Price and England’s Nathan Aspinall advanced to the 2026 World Grand Prix quarterfinals in Leicester on Wednesday night. Both players secured straight-set victories over Ross Smith and Luke Woodhouse.
Price recorded a 3-0 win over Smith at the Mattioli Arena. This sets up an all-Welsh quarterfinal match against Jonny Clayton. Clayton defeated Wessel Nijman 3-1 after starting his opening set with checkouts of 112, 116, and 125.
Price and Clayton Set Up All-Welsh Showdown
Gerwyn Price is among the tournament favorites following Luke Littler’s shock early exit. Price followed his opening-round victory over Sebastian Białecki by dropping just four legs to defeat Ross Smith 3-0. Although Smith posted the highest average of the first round and outscored Price, the 2020 champion capitalized on crucial missed doubles to seal his victory on double 18.
“I don’t think it was a great game and I don’t think we played brilliant,” Price admitted to Sky Sports. “What we did do in patches was start well and finish well, but the bits in between were a little bit rubbish.”
Price will now face his World Cup of Darts partner Jonny Clayton on Friday evening. Clayton reached the quarterfinals for a third consecutive year after defeating Wessel Nijman 3-1. Clayton opened his match with three consecutive ton-plus checkouts, including a stunning 125 finish on the bullseye.
Aspinall Ends Woodhouse’s Run With Impressive Average
Nathan Aspinall registered the highest average of the evening at 96.27 during his 3-0 sweep against Luke Woodhouse. Woodhouse had previously made headlines by eliminating defending champion Luke Littler on opening night. However, his run was halted by a dominant Aspinall performance that included eight maximum 180s.
“As long as I can handle the pressure, which I think I have shown in these two games in the key moments, I am going to be tough to beat this week,” Aspinall told Sky Sports. “If it all comes together, I am one of the best players in the world. Everybody knows that but I have to prove it.”
Aspinall will move on to play Ryan Joyce in Friday’s quarterfinal round. Joyce booked his place in the last eight with a comfortable 3-0 straight-sets victory over Danny Noppert.
Wednesday’s Second-Round Results
- Ryan Joyce 3-0 Danny Noppert
- Jonny Clayton 3-1 Wessel Nijman
- Gerwyn Price 3-0 Ross Smith
- Nathan Aspinall 3-0 Luke Woodhouse
