Gerwyn Price insists his game is moving in the right direction ahead of his Betfred World Matchplay quarter-final showdown against Ross Smith on Friday evening. Price will take on former European Champion Smith for a place in the semi-finals at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, following an emphatic 11-5 victory over Rob Cross in round two. The […]
Gerwyn Price insists his game is moving in the right direction ahead of his Betfred World Matchplay quarter-final showdown against Ross Smith on Friday evening.
Price will take on former European Champion Smith for a place in the semi-finals at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, following an emphatic 11-5 victory over Rob Cross in round two.
The 2022 runner-up overturned 4-0 and 6-2 deficits to sink Martin Schindler in his opening round tie, before producing a much-improved showing against Cross, averaging almost 98 to triumph.
“I’m going in the right direction,” insisted the Welshman, who pinned 50% of his attempts at double to cap off a clinical display.
“If I want to win this tournament I need to be a lot better than that, but I showed a little bit of the old me tonight. I think I need to bring that back.
“I said it after my opening game – the further I go in this tournament, the better I will get.
“I need that energy, I need that buzz and I think Ross brings that, so I’m going to bring it a bit more on Friday, because I’m here to win.”
Price is remarkably without a televised ranking title since November 2021, despite enjoying sustained success on the European Tour and ProTour circuit over recent years.
However, the 41-year-old believes he needs to recapture his trademark intensity in a bid to return to winning ways on the biggest stage.
“Sometimes I hold myself back because I don’t know how the crowd is going to react, but I know how Ross plays,” continued the former World Champion.
“I know he wears his heart on his sleeve, so I just need to be me on Friday.
“Ross is quite experienced. He’s won the European Championship, he’s won a European Tour and a few ProTours.
“I know how well Ross is playing, but every game I’m improving, so if I can step up from a 97 or 98 average, then I think I’ll do alright.”
Smith progressed to the last eight in unique circumstances on Wednesday evening, after Cameron Menzies was forced to withdraw after being taken unwell during the fourth leg of their last 16 tussle.
Nevertheless, Smith impressed in his opening round victory over Kevin Doets, defying a 104 average from the Dutch debutant to kick off his campaign at the Empress Ballroom.
The evening’s other quarter-final will see Dutch number one Gian van Veen face 2007 champion James Wade, in a repeat of their last eight clash 12 months ago.
Van Veen won through a pulsating tie-break against his compatriot Wessel Nijman in round two, while Wade overcame Ryan Searle to advance to a 14th World Matchplay quarter-final – a record only usurped by Phil Taylor.
The Betfred World Matchplay is being broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK & Ireland, through the PDC’s worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN, CANAL+ and Viaplay, and on PDCTV (excluding UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria & Switzerland based subscribers).
2026 Betfred World Matchplay
Friday July 24 (2000 BST *)
Quarter-Finals x2
Ross Smith v Gerwyn Price
Gian van Veen v James Wade
Best of 31 Legs
* For the evenings session on July 23-26, Sky Sports will be on air from 1930 BST, with play commencing from approximately 2005 BST.