The quarter final line-up for the PDC World Grand Prix was completed on Thursday evening in Leicester, with Luke Littler and Gerwyn Price setting up a blockbuster last eight meeting with straightforward wins at Mattioli Arena.
Littler ended the World Grand Prix title defence of Mike De Decker, as he bulldozed the Belgian in a 3-0 win. After winning through a record-breaking contest against Gian van Veen on Tuesday, Littler continued his pursuit of World Grand Prix glory with a dominant 3-0 win over reigning champion De Decker.
THE PDC WORLD GRAND PRIX: Stats, history and the WGP story on dartsdatabase.co.uk
The World Champion was always in control and seemed almost in autopilot mode, and he breezed to victory against the below-par Belgian, conjuring up a sensational 170 checkout to breeze through to Friday’s quarter-finals.
The Nuke was swiftly joined by Price, who took a simpler than expected 3-0 win of his own against Josh Rock.
‘The Iceman’ dropped just one leg as he put Rock under constant pressure, and he completed a superb win to book a clash with Littler on Friday evening.
The Welshman reeled off eight consecutive legs to sweep aside the Northern Irishman, averaging over 100 in each of the last two sets to maintain his bid for a second double-start crown.
“I just looked at the averages and I thought I played better than that,” revealed Price, one of three former champions left in the tournament.
“I’m playing well. I probably need to up my scoring game because Luke is scoring really well, but if I put him under pressure, then it will be a good game.
“Luke is playing fantastic darts. I cannot take that away from him, but I’m here to win, and I’m not scared of anybody!”
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The action began in the East Midlands by Dirk van Duijvenbode, and the Dutchman encountered few problems in dismissing an out-of-sorts Daryl Gurney in a routine 3-0 win.
‘The Titan’ won the first eight legs of the match, and although Gurney fought to level the third set, a 158 checkout from van Duijvenbode ended matters.
He will next face Jonny Clayton in the East Midlands, as ‘The Ferret’ completed a 3-1 win against Luke Woodhouse.
The Welshman was strong throughout, especially on his finishing doubles, and he will look to add to his 2021 win here by advancing in Friday’s quarters.
“We both struggled at times. Luke gave me chances, and when that happens, you have to take them,” admitted the 2021 champion.
“Obviously I’m happy to win, but I need to get back on that practice board ready for tomorrow, and I will need a better performance than that.
“Dirk is playing well, but I know what I have to do, and that’s all that counts.”
The four quarter-final ties will take place on a bumper Friday evening session in Leicester, as Littler and Price renew their rivalry in the evening’s headline act.
2025 BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix
Thursday October 9 (4x Round Two)
Dirk van Duijvenbode 3-0 Daryl Gurney (3-0, 3-0, 3-2)
Jonny Clayton 3-1 Luke Woodhouse (3-1, 0-3, 3-1, 3-1)
Luke Littler 3-0 Mike De Decker (3-1, 3-1, 3-0)
Gerwyn Price 3-0 Josh Rock (3-1, 3-0, 3-0)
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