The first four quarter finalists were confirmed in Leicester at the Boylesports World Grand Prix, and the last eight will feature an all-Welsh clash, as Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton both came through their second round encounters at Mattioli Arena.
Price gained revenge for defeat in the World Series of Darts Finals showpiece last weekend, as he impressed in a 3-0 second round win against Ross Smith.
Price was fired up, and finished with an average of over 90 as he afforded Smith just four legs in an eye-catching 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 [against Smith].
“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 had confirmed his quarter final place a match earlier, and ‘The Ferret’ was in fine form, piling in eight 180s and taking out four ton-plus finishes in an assured 3-1 win over Wessel Nijman.
Clayton averaged over 93 to back up his first round win against Krzysztof Ratajski.
Nathan Aspinall produced the performance of the night, as he averaged in excess of 96 in a fine 3-0 win against Luke Woodhouse, who toppled Luke Littler in round one.
Aspinall fired in eight maximums, and ended the contest with a 106 finish as he soared into the next round.
“I’m dead happy with that performance,” said Aspinall.
“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.”
‘The Asp’ will face Ryan Joyce next, as ‘Relentless’ was just that in a 3-0 win against Danny Noppert.
2024 semi-finalist Joyce was rock solid on his finishing doubles as he romped to a whitewash victory.
The quarter final line-up will be completed on Thursday evening.
2026 BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix
Wednesday September 30
Round Two x4
Ryan Joyce 3-0 Danny Noppert (3-1, 3-1, 3-1)
Jonny Clayton 3-1 Wessel Nijman (3-0, 2-3, 3-1, 3-1)
Gerwyn Price 3-0 Ross Smith (3-2, 3-1, 3-1)
Nathan Aspinall 3-0 Luke Woodhouse (3-2, 3-1, 3-0)
Thursday October 1 (1900 BST)
Round Two x4
Niels Zonneveld v Gary Anderson
James Wade v Stephen Bunting
Luke Humphries v Jermaine Wattimena
Gian van Veen v Ryan Searle
Best of Five Sets
–ENDS–
