James Wade and Nathan Aspinall both put in statement performances on Friday night, performances that will have made their semi-final opponents take note ahead of a mouthwatering Saturday night line-up at the World Grand Prix.
Wade dropped only one leg as he “bashed up” world No 2 Gian van Veen in a match that lasted little more than 20 minutes. Aspinall, meanwhile, averaged 105.15 in a 3-0 win over Ryan Joyce, a mark that landed as the fourth-highest in tournament history and the best-ever in a quarter-final.
Wade’s demolition of van Veen
Wade’s display was devastating from start to finish. His opponent struggled early, and Wade put his foot down to get the job done.
“That really was a performance to remember from Wade,” Sky Sports‘ Wayne Mardle said. “From start to finish, he was absolutely devastating. World Class.”
Three-time world champion John Part agreed. “James is not just looking like a great dart thrower to me, he’s looking like a winner,” Part said. “I really have a lot of faith in James managing the other players, and that’s what winners do. They see what they have to work with, and work against.”
“At the start of the match, James saw his opponent struggling and put his foot down to get the job done,” Part continued. “I think he’s a legitimate title contender here.”
Wade’s semi-final opponent
Wade will face former world No 1 Luke Humphries in the final four. Humphries won 3-0 over debutant Neils Zonneveld, but his performance was far from convincing.
Humphries averaged 85.91, the same as the Dutchman. His clutch doubling ultimately proved the difference as the 2023 champion reached the final four for a fourth-straight year.
“I’m really disappointed,” Humphries told Sky Sports. “I felt really good in practice, but I came out here tonight and it didn’t feel great to be honest. It kind of felt like I was the second-best player for the first two sets, but I got away with it. It’s one of those performances where you’re not thrilled, but I won 3-0. Hopefully tomorrow night is a lot better, because if it isn’t I won’t be here on Sunday.”
Aspinall’s record-breaking average
Aspinall’s performance against Joyce was the standout of the night. His 105.15 average threatened to set a new tournament record, and it ultimately landed as the fourth-highest in history.
“I feel like I can win this tournament, and I feel like I’m ready to win another major again,” Aspinall told Sky Sports. “There’s no reason why I can’t.” He added: “My starting, my finishing, my 180s – it’s probably one of my best performances ever on stage for my whole career.”
Aspinall’s semi-final opponent
Aspinall will face Gerwyn Price in Saturday’s other semi-final. The Iceman came back from two sets down to beat Jonny Clayton in an all-Welsh affair, surviving three match darts before edging the contest.
Price reached the final four after edging a last-leg epic to book his spot.
The semi-final line-up
Saturday’s semi-finals feature two all-star matches. Wade takes on Humphries, while Aspinall meets Price.
Both semi-finals are first to five sets. Coverage starts at 8pm on Sky Sports+ and 8.30pm on Sky Sports Main Event.
The key performances
Here is how each player got to the final four:
- Nathan Aspinall 3-0 Ryan Joyce
- Gerwyn Price 3-2 Jonny Clayton
- Gian van Veen 0-3 James Wade
- Luke Humphries 3-0 Niels Zonneveld
What to watch
The semi-finals promise drama. Wade’s form against van Veen suggests he is playing with real confidence, while Aspinall’s relaxed demeanour after the quarter-final suggests he is ready to push for another major.
Humphries knows he underperformed against Zonneveld, and he will need to raise his game against Wade. Price will be a different test for Aspinall, but the Welshman has shown he can compete at this level.
Saturday night will settle it. The semi-finals are live on Sky Sports+ from 8pm and Sky Sports Main Event from 8.30pm.
The semi-finals are first to five sets, and the winners will meet in Sunday’s final.
Source material: “Wade and Aspinall make statement ahead of World Grand Prix semi-finals,” Sky Sports.
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