Former darts world champion Gerwyn Price confidently reached the quarter-finals at the World Matchplay in Blackpool, England.
The Welshman beat Englishman Dave Chisnall 11:8 on Thursday evening. Price had already been in the round of eight at the second most important tournament of the year in 2015 and 2021, but he has never gotten any further.
In a duel between two top ten players, Jose de Sousa (Portugal) also defeated the English 2018 world champion Rob Cross 11:8. In his opening match against the Englishman Chris Dobey, Cross managed to catch up impressively, winning 11:9 after being 8-2 down.
Three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen (Netherlands) made it through to the quarter-finals by beating Englishman Joe Cullen 11:5.
For the first time in the history of the tournament, two participants from Germany were also at the start. Gabriel Clemens (Saarwellingen) and Martin Schindler (Strausberg) both lost their first round games on Monday. As in the previous year, Clemens lost to de Sousa (6:10), Schindler lost to Price almost 8:10.
The final of the event at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool takes place on Sunday. A total of £800,000 in prize money will be awarded, with the winner receiving £200,000 and the Phil Taylor Trophy.