Gerwyn Price delivered a commanding performance to defeat Ross Smith 16-12 in the World Matchplay quarter-finals, setting the stage for a compelling semi-final showdown with Gian van Veen. The Welsh darts ace maintained his composure and skill throughout the match, securing a well-deserved place in the final four of the esteemed competition.
Initially, Price appeared to have firm control of the quarter-final contest at Blackpool's Winter Gardens. However, Smith mounted a spirited comeback, narrowing Price's 12-8 lead to an even 12-12. Despite this resurgence, Price elevated his game once more, concluding the match with an impressive average of 102.78. This victory marks a significant step for Price as he aims to reach the tournament's final for the first time.
Reflecting on his win, Price shared with Sky Sports, "Ross also played a strong game, so it's gratifying to perform well when your opponent is in good form. It instills confidence for the upcoming round." He added, "When he leveled the score at 12-12, I thought, 'here we go again,' but fortunately, I managed to secure four consecutive legs to win."
Price will face Gian van Veen of the Netherlands in the semi-finals on Saturday. Van Veen earned his spot by defeating James Wade 16-13 in a tenacious encounter. The Dutchman established an early three-leg advantage, leading 11-7, but Wade battled back to tie the score at 11-11. Wade continued to challenge Van Veen until the third seed executed a critical 118 checkout to break Wade's throw, moving ahead 14-12 before ultimately clinching the victory.
Van Veen expressed his relief, stating, "It was a tough contest, but I'm pleased I accomplished my goal." He further commented, "I was very fortunate that James wasn't scoring as consistently, and my finishing was what carried me through. I hope to perform much better in the semi-finals." Meanwhile, reigning champion and world number one Luke Littler will compete against unseeded Dirk van Duijvenbode in the other semi-final, following their respective wins on Thursday.
The World Matchplay quarter-finals saw intense competition and notable performances. Gerwyn Price, ranked seventh, overcame Ross Smith, ranked fifteenth, with a score of 16-12. In another closely contested match, third-seeded Gian van Veen secured a 16-13 victory over sixth-seeded James Wade. These results set up an exciting semi-final schedule for Saturday, featuring Gerwyn Price against Gian van Veen, and Luke Littler facing Dirk van Duijvenbode, with action commencing at 20:05 BST.
