Ryan Joyce set for Aspinall clash at World Grand Prix
Ryan Joyce faces Nathan Aspinall in Friday's BoyleSports World Grand Prix quarter-finals in Leicester after straight-set wins over Michael van Gerwen and Danny Noppert. The Relentless run keeps an underdog path open after defending champion Luke Littler's early exit, with the winner meeting Price or Clayton.
Key Takeaways
- Ryan Joyce is into the last eight after beating Michael van Gerwen and Danny Noppert.
- He meets Nathan Aspinall in Friday's quarter-finals at the Mattioli Arena.
- Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton contest an all-Welsh last-eight clash the same night.
- Luke Littler's first-round exit has blown the tournament wide open.
- Coverage continues live on Sky Sports Main Event.
The double-in, double-out major in Leicester has already delivered shocks, and Ryan Joyce is central to that story. After dumping out ninth seed Van Gerwen in round one, he completed a 3-0 second-round win over eighth seed Noppert to book his quarter-final date.
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Who is Ryan Joyce playing in the World Grand Prix quarters?
Joyce faces Nathan Aspinall, the No. 16 seed, on Friday from 19:00 BST. Aspinall reached the last eight with a 3-0 win over Luke Woodhouse, averaging 96.27 and landing eight 180s, according to Racing Post analysis of the night.
Joyce reached the World Grand Prix semi-finals in 2024 and beat Aspinall in round two on that run. This rematch is a different test. Racing Post notes Joyce managed no maximum against Van Gerwen and only one against Noppert, while Aspinall has been racking up 180s in Leicester.
When the pair last met on the European Tour in late August, Aspinall edged Joyce 6-4 and dominated the maximum count. Still, Joyce's finishing and comfort in this format keep the tie live.
Why does Ryan Joyce's run matter after Littler's exit?
Defending champion Luke Littler was knocked out by Woodhouse in the first round, stripping the field of its top favourite. Racing Post now lists Luke Humphries and Gerwyn Price as joint 11-4 favourites.
That vacuum raises the value of every remaining underdog path. Joyce is unseeded yet has already removed two Dutch seeds. The winner of Joyce vs Aspinall is projected to meet the winner of the all-Welsh quarter-final between Price and Clayton in the semi-finals.
BBC Sport reports Price is yet to drop a set after a 3-0 revenge win over Ross Smith, while Clayton beat Wessel Nijman 3-1 with a 93 average and eight 180s. Clayton called the Welsh rivalry full of banter between friends ranked world No. 4 and No. 5.
What else is on Friday's World Grand Prix quarter-final bill?
Sky Sports' live coverage from day five also features Price vs Clayton, plus ties involving Luke Humphries and James Wade once Thursday's remaining second-round matches were settled. The bill at the Mattioli Arena runs from around 7pm UK time on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports+.
The World Grand Prix is a 32-player straight knockout. Matches are set-play, and players must hit a double to start scoring as well as to finish. Semi-finals are Saturday; the final is Sunday.
Full schedule and quotes on the Welsh showdown are detailed by BBC Sport, which confirmed Joyce and Aspinall both advanced in straight sets on Wednesday.
Bottom line for US and UK fans: watch Ryan Joyce first. If he repeats his 2024 Aspinall scalp, another deep run in Leicester is on.