Nathan Aspinall (Photo PDC)
Nathan Aspinall produced one of the greatest performances in the World Darts Grand Prix history to storm through to the semi-finals on Friday, as former champions Luke Humphries, Gerwyn Price and James Wade also advanced in Leicester.
Aspinall produced a darting masterclass on the day at the Mattioli Arena, registering the fourth highest-average in World Grand Prix history to celebrate a sensational 3-0 win over Ryan Joyce in the quarter-finals.
The 2022 runner-up averaged 105.15 – the highest in a best-of-five-sets match at the double-start event – to continue his pursuit of a third televised ranking title in the East Midlands.
Aspinall was relentless against the man with that moniker, racing to the opening set in just 42 darts, before converting clinical 110 and 112 finishes to double his lead with a remarkable 109.78 average.
Joyce threatened to halve the deficit with a spirited third-set rearguard, before the Stockport star produced legs of 13 and 14 darts to wrap up proceedings with another timely surge.
“I’m absolutely buzzing,” insisted the former UK Open and World Matchplay champion.
“I felt so relaxed and focused tonight. My starting was unbelievable; the amount of 152s I hit in those first two sets was ridiculous.
“I’m really happy with that performance. That’s probably one of the best performances I’ve ever produced in my career.
“I’ve been a lot more composed this week. I feel like I can win this tournament, and I feel like I’m ready to win another major [title] again.”
Aspinall will now face Price in a repeat of their semi-final showdown four years ago, after the Welshman overturned a 2-0 deficit to topple his fellow countryman Jonny Clayton.
Clayton landed 110, 117 and 98 checkouts to establish a two-set lead against a profligate Price, before the 2020 champion came roaring back in spectacular style.
Having averaged 107 in a blistering third set display, Price completed a clean sweep in the fourth stanza to restore parity, only for Clayton to regain control and lead 2-0 in the decider.
However, after missing a match dart at double 16 in leg three, Clayton then squandered a further two opportunities in a dramatic decider, allowing Price the chance to punish and complete the comeback.
“Obviously, I feel for Jonny,” reflected Price, who surrendered a two-set lead against Luke Littler at the same stage of last year’s competition.
“I know what it’s like to be ahead and lose here, but I felt like I was the better player all the way through the game and I was quite unlucky to be 2-0 down.
“I just felt like I was gifting Jonny some opportunities, but that’s the way darts goes sometimes and I had to stick in there.
“I’m in some decent form. I thought I was dead and buried there but I never give up, and for two sets in that match I was pretty much unplayable.”
Humphries and Wade will go head-to-head in Saturday’s second semi-final, following emphatic straight-set victories against Dutch duo Niels Zonneveld and Gian van Veen respectively.
2023 winner Humphries is yet to relinquish a set in this year’s tournament, following up whitewash wins over Dave Chisnall and Jermaine Wattimena with another comprehensive triumph against Zonneveld.
The pair remarkably posted identical averages, but Humphries’ clutch doubling proved decisive as he swept through to a fourth consecutive semi-final in Leicester.
“It’s one of those performance where you aren’t thrilled, but you win 3-0,” reflected a candid Humphries, also a two-time runner-up in 2024 and 2025.
“Hopefully tomorrow is a lot better because if it isn’t, I won’t be here on Sunday.
“The way I’m practicing, I feel really good, it’s just not been coming out this week. Against James, I know I need it to come out, it’ll be a tough task.
“To make four World Grand Prix finals on the trot would be super special. There’s not many players that will ever do that, and James will know he’s got a tough game as well.”
Earlier in the night, Wade dispatched Dutch number one Van Veen in devastating fashion, winning eight straight legs to progress to his first World Grand Prix semi-final since 2014.
Van Veen wasn’t afforded a dart at a finishing double until the penultimate leg of the contest, as a ruthless Wade averaged north of 96 to preserve his title aspirations.
“I felt more up for it tonight,” revealed Wade, who lifted the title in 2007 and 2010 respectively.
“I was really fortunate that Gian didn’t perform and I capitalised on that.
“When I lost to Gezzy [Price] last weekend, I was tired and sluggish, but when I’ve been up for it in recent times, I’ve done alright.
“I’ve been feeling different in the last two months. Probably the last time I felt like this it was 2008 or 2009.”
Quarter-Finals Results
Nathan Aspinall 3-0 Ryan Joyce (3-0, 3-2, 3-2)
Gerwyn Price 3-2 Jonny Clayton (2-3, 1-3, 3-1, 3-0, 3-2)
James Wade 3-0 Gian van Veen (3-0, 3-0, 3-1)
Luke Humphries 3-0 Niels Zonneveld (3-1, 3-2, 3-1)
