Ryan Joyce has secured his place in the quarter-finals of the 2024 World Grand Prix in Leicester after a dramatic 3-2 victory over Nathan Aspinall. This win marked their first meeting in a major TV event, with Joyce now boasting an impressive 6-2 head-to-head lead over Aspinall, despite the latter being the favorite.
The match was intense from the start, with both players winning the first six legs on their throw. Aspinall took the first set in a deciding leg, but Joyce quickly responded by winning the second set in another close finish.
In the third set, Joyce secured the first break of the match with a brilliant 14-dart leg, then held his throw to go two legs up. Though Aspinall fought back with a leg, Joyce held on to win the set and take a 2-1 lead.
Aspinall, needing to break Joyce’s throw in the fourth set to stay in the match, managed to send it to a deciding leg with a crucial 90 checkout. However, Joyce, starting the final leg with the advantage of a throw, delivered under pressure with his fifth 180 of the match. He then set up a 114 checkout but missed his target on a high single 20, opening the door for Aspinall to land an 89 checkout and force a fifth set.
In the deciding set, both players battled fiercely. Joyce missed a big number in the first leg, allowing Aspinall to take the lead, but he quickly recovered to level the set. Aspinall then hit an 11-darter, moving to the brink of victory. But when he missed his chances to close out the match, Joyce capitalized to force a final leg.
The tension reached its peak in the last leg as Joyce took the lead but busted on double 10, giving Aspinall a chance at a 110 checkout. Aspinall, however, missed double 18, and Joyce finally hit double 6 to seal a thrilling victory and advance to the quarter-finals.
Joyce’s win sends him into the next round after a match full of excitement and drama, while Aspinall is left to reflect on missed opportunities.
