Gerwyn Price became the first man through to the World Matchplay final, seeing off Gian van Veen 17-10 to claim his first TV ranking final in three years. Price got off to the dream start, racing into a 4-1 lead at the first intermission before extending it to a double break heading into the next session, capped by a brilliant 125 checkout.
For a moment it looked as though the Welshman might be flirting with a nine-darter, though that early sharpness wasn’t sustained. Both players missed their fair share on the outer ring as the match wore on.
Van Veen, to his credit, regrouped after the break. Despite a rough patch on the doubles, missing 17 across the opening ten legs. He clawed his way back to trail just 6-4 at the second interval.
Price steadied things again after the third mini-session, leaving Van Veen stranded at the back end of legs to move 9-6 ahead.
Neither player fully took control through this phase of the match, with both struggling to impose themselves consistently.Van Veen made the most of a wobble from Price at the doubles to cut the gap back to two, 11-9, heading into the final break, one he used in full to try to revive things.
But true to the pattern of the match, Price responded immediately, breaking again to move five legs from victory. A second ten-darter of the match from Price left him one leg from the final, and he duly punished a loose finish from Van Veen to seal a 17-10 win, taking six of the last seven legs.
Van Veen managed just 30% on the doubles, a statistic that told much of the story. Price led throughout and was never troubled at any stage of the match.The result moves Price up to World Number Four, and he was quick to needle friend and compatriot Jonny Clayton about the fact he’s now Wales’ top-ranked player.
Price said:
“I think I’ve been in some good games this year… the first six months of this season I’ve been playing really well. I probably haven’t played as much as I should’ve, but to reach a final I’m happy. But honestly, the ranking, just to get to top four – one up on my buddy Jonny!
”‘The Iceman’ will now await the result of Saturday’s second semi-final to find out who he will face in the showpiece final event.
Reigning and defending champion Luke Littler takes on maiden Matchplay semi-finalist Dirk van Duijvenbode to make up Sunday’s lineup.
Images: T Lanning / PDC
