James Wade delivered a masterclass performance on Thursday night at the World Grand Prix, securing a 3-0 victory over former world champion Gerwyn Price. With this dominant win, Wade advances to the quarter-finals for the first time since 2014, marking a resurgence in his form at the double-in, double-out tournament. Wade, a two-time champion at this event (2007 and 2010), is aiming to recapture past glory and show why he remains a force to be reckoned with in the darting world.
Wade entered the match with confidence and precision, finishing with an average of 90.00 and solid percentages for both opening (41%) and finishing (45%) darts. Price, often considered a strong contender, was unable to keep up with Wade’s consistent play, struggling to find his rhythm throughout the match. Wade’s experience and tactical approach paid off, allowing him to outplay “The Iceman” in all three sets.
First Set: Wade Takes Control Early
The match began with both players holding their legs, but Wade quickly established control. He opened the first leg with precision and, despite missing six opportunities to break Price’s throw in the second leg, he remained focused. Price held his throw to level the score, and the next two legs also followed the darts.
In the pivotal fifth leg of the first set, Wade capitalized on his throw. With a clean 25 finish, Wade took the first set 3-2, setting the tone for what would be a dominant performance. Price, meanwhile, struggled to impose himself and failed to make the most of his opportunities.
Second Set: Wade Extends His Lead
The second set saw Wade further asserting his dominance. He started with a 16-dart leg and followed it up with a clinical 96 finish, putting himself 2-0 ahead in the set. Price, trying to keep pace, managed to respond with a 78 finish in the third leg to stay in contention, but it was clear Wade had the upper hand.
Wade’s consistency under pressure came through once again as he fired a brilliant 13-darter to win the fourth leg and take the set 3-1. This gave Wade a commanding 2-0 lead in sets, leaving Price with a steep uphill battle if he hoped to mount a comeback.
Third Set: Wade Seals the Deal
Wade’s momentum carried into the third set as he opened with a 14-darter to take the lead. However, a rare stumble followed in the second leg, with Wade missing nine darts to open. Despite this lapse, Price was unable to capitalize, also missing key doubles. Wade eventually won the leg with a 24-darter, putting him one leg away from victory.
Price, fighting to stay in the match, produced a glimmer of hope with a 130 checkout to delay Wade’s win. But the Englishman remained calm and focused, finishing the job with a 16-darter in the next leg to close out the match 3-0 in sets.
Wade’s Impressive Return to the Quarter-Finals
This win is a significant achievement for Wade, who last reached the quarter-finals of the World Grand Prix a decade ago, in 2014. That year, he made it to the final but lost to Michael van Gerwen. Wade is no stranger to success in this unique double-in, double-out format, having won the tournament twice in his career. His return to form at the 2023 edition of the event is a reminder of his resilience and skill.
For Gerwyn Price, the loss marks another disappointment in a tournament that has eluded him in recent years. The Welshman, who is ranked second in the world, was the runner-up at last year’s event and had been expected to challenge for the title again. However, Price’s performance fell short of expectations, as he struggled to find consistency against Wade.
What’s Next?
Wade’s victory sets up a quarter-final clash with Belgian Mike de Decker, who is making his own impressive run at the World Grand Prix. De Decker shocked the darting world by defeating Damon Heta in the first round and followed it up with a 3-0 win over Gary Anderson to reach his first-ever major quarter-final.
As Wade prepares for his next match, his experience and recent form make him a formidable opponent for De Decker. If Wade continues to play with the same precision and calm demeanor, he could be on his way to another deep run in the World Grand Prix.
For now, James Wade’s win over Gerwyn Price stands as one of the highlights of the tournament, and his pursuit of a third World Grand Prix title continues.
