Gerwyn Price produced a masterclass in precision and power as he dismantled James Wade 10-4 at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, securing his spot in the next round where teenage prodigy Luke Littler awaits.
The Welshman, known for his fiery temperament and explosive scoring, was in ruthless form as he capitalised on Wade's uncharacteristic errors. Price raced into a commanding lead early in the match, leaving the veteran Englishman struggling to keep pace.
Price Dominates from the Start
From the opening leg, Price set the tone with clinical finishing and consistent high scoring. Wade, an eight-time major champion, found himself constantly under pressure as Price piled on the points with a barrage of 180s and tight doubling.
"I felt good up there tonight," Price said after the match. "James is a quality player, but I managed to keep him under pressure and took my chances when they came."
Littler Looms in Next Round
The victory sets up a mouth-watering clash with 17-year-old Luke Littler, who has taken the darts world by storm this season. The young star's fearless approach and natural talent have drawn comparisons to a young Phil Taylor, making this quarter-final matchup one of the most anticipated of the tournament.
"Luke's been brilliant this year," Price acknowledged. "But I've been around long enough to know how to handle these situations. It should be a great game for the fans."
Wade Left to Regroup
For Wade, the defeat marks another setback in what has been a challenging season. The 41-year-old showed flashes of his class but was ultimately outgunned by Price's relentless scoring power.
"Gerwyn was just too good tonight," Wade admitted. "I'll go back to the practice board and work on a few things. There's still plenty of darts to be played this season."
The Blackpool crowd were treated to an exhibition of high-quality darts, with Price averaging over 100 and checking out at an impressive 45% on his doubles. As the tournament moves towards its climax, all eyes will be on Price's showdown with Littler - a match that promises fireworks between the established star and the sport's brightest young talent.
