Nathan Aspinall believes composure will be key as he sets his sights on BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix glory in Leicester this weekend. Aspinall will take on Ryan Joyce for a place in the semi-finals on Friday evening, after defeating Kevin Doets and Luke Woodhouse to book his place in the last eight at the […]
Nathan Aspinall believes composure will be key as he sets his sights on BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix glory in Leicester this weekend.
Aspinall will take on Ryan Joyce for a place in the semi-finals on Friday evening, after defeating Kevin Doets and Luke Woodhouse to book his place in the last eight at the Mattioli Arena.
The Stockport star survived three match darts to edge past Doets in his opener, before registering an impressive straight-sets victory against Woodhouse in the last eight.
“I’ve been working really hard to try and compose myself in key moments,” insisted Aspinall, a World Grand Prix runner-up in 2022.
“On Monday night that paid dividends, so I wanted to start how I finished [in round one] and my doubling in was a hell of a lot better against Luke.
“I hit so many 180s and overall I thought it was a great performance.
“Luke’s one of those players – he’s fantastic, but he does start beating himself up a bit, and I noticed at certain points his head was going.”
Aspinall is featuring in his first televised quarter-final of 2026, having succumbed to Luke Littler in July’s World Matchplay and the recent World Series of Darts Finals.
The 35-year-old was also poised to face Littler in round two this week, but he’s hoping to capitalise on the world number one’s exit by claiming his third televised ranking crown.
“We’re all here to win,” continued the former UK Open and World Matchplay champion.
“I know I can score as well as anybody in the world of darts, and that’s what I practice on. I focus on the scoring.
“As long as I can handle the pressure, which I think I’ve shown already in these two games in the big moments… I’m going to be really tough to beat this week.
“If it all comes together I’m one of the best players in the world. Everyone knows that, but you’ve got to prove it and hopefully this week I can have a decent run.
“I’ve got [Ryan] Joycey in the next game. He’s ridiculous on double 16 and I’m going to have to play well because he beat me here a couple of years ago, so it’s payback on Friday!”
2026 BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix
Friday October 2 (1900 BST)
Quarter-Finals x4
Nathan Aspinall v Ryan Joyce
Gerwyn Price v Jonny Clayton
Gian van Veen v James Wade
Luke Humphries v Niels Zonneveld
Best of Five Sets