World Grand Prix: Gerwyn Price powers past Michael Smith to set up final against Luke Humphries

Gerwyn Price dominates world champion and No.1 Michael Smith to seal showdown against Luke Humphries; Watch the double in, double out final of the World Grand Prix Darts at Morningside Arena, Leicester – live on Sky Sports Arena from 8pm

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Take a look at what happened in the Leicester World Grand Prix semi-finals

Gerwyn Price proved too good for world number 1 Michael Smith as he set up a World Grand Prix showdown against Luke Humphries at Leicester’s Morningside Arena.

Price, the 2020 World Grand Prix champion, reached his third final in four years after pulling away from ‘Bully Boy’ by 2-2 to eventually seal a 4-2 success, while Humphries crushed the hopes of Cullen with a clean sheet victory.

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Price beat Smith to book his place in the final

Price – the only former champion remaining in the field – made a worrying start to the competition, shooting consecutive 180s on his way to a 12-dart break, and he eventually landed the first blow in an error-strewn conclusion. to define one.

The opening stanza saw all five rounds won against the throw, with Smith wasting three darts to draw first blood, after Price had spurned his own opportunities earlier in the play.

The roles were reversed in the second set as Price was punished for missing a dart at double 12 for 2-0, and Smith took advantage of this reprieve to take control of the semi-final.

The St Helens star rounded out the third set with a monstrous average of 110, conjuring up a 10-dart leg during that blistering spell to put the pressure on Price.

“The Iceman” responded with an equally dominant fourth set to tie it at two apiece, converting a checkout of 109 to stop the rot, before punishing Smith’s woes on the leadoff doubles.

Price suddenly started to find his range in the outside ring and this coincided with Smith’s dip in form, and it all came together for the world champion in the closing stages, as Price cruised to victory.

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Welshman admits victory over Smith was a bit of a ‘roller coaster’

“Michael Smith is the world champion and world number one, so I knew it was going to be tough,” Price said.

“I thought I probably should have been 2-0 up and then I found myself 2-1 down. It was a bit of a rollercoaster, but I fought back and put him under pressure from that point on. that moment.

“It was a difficult match but I’m happy to have done it. Luke is a great player, he had a bit of luck on his side in this tournament, but it will be difficult tomorrow.”

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Humphries scored this spectacular check against Cullen en route to the World Grand Prix final.

Humphries battled back to knock out 2018 finalist Peter Wright in Friday’s quarterfinals, and he reeled off seven straight unanswered sets to sweep Cullen.

The Yorkshireman endured a nightmare in the outside ring in the opening exchanges, missing 19 of his first 21 darts in the doubles, and Humphries duly took advantage to establish a straight-sets buffer.

Humphries raised his game in the third set to tighten his grip on proceedings, before converting an effortless combination of 138 midway through the fourth to move one leg away from Sunday’s showpiece.

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Cullen made a brilliant 150 in defeat

Cullen threatened to turn the tide with a sublime skin-saving 150 moments later, but Humphries dashed any hopes of a fightback to reach his first televised final since March 2021.

“I’m really happy. The last grand final I played was behind closed doors, and now I can finally enjoy this grand final in front of a crowd,” said UK Open finalist Humphries. United two years ago.

“We dedicate everything to these moments, and I’m going to give everything tomorrow. I’ll put everything on the line, and it’s going to come down to who can keep their cool.

“I have a good record against Gezzy this year, which gives me confidence, but it’s a different ball game. I’m going to take advantage of it, because these opportunities don’t come every day.”

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Humphries says he is enjoying being in another major final

Webster: Pricing experience will give him the edge

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Mark Webster looks forward to World Grand Prix final between Price and Humphries

Mark Webster on Sky Sports: “For Luke Humphries it was a professional job. He just kept Joe at arm’s length. He got his chance at Gerwyn Price and now he has to take it.

“Price had a lot of resistance there but he found a way to win. That’s why he wins major titles.

“Both players will know they have to improve tomorrow and Gerwyn Price has been on this stage before and won this tournament and that will give him the advantage tomorrow night.

“He hasn’t been at his best but he’s found a way to win matches. He still has an obstacle to overcome in Luke Humphries.”

Watch the double in, double out final of the World Grand Prix Darts at Morningside Arena, Leicester – live on Sky Sports Arena from 8pm. Stream the World Grand Prix and more with NOW for £21 per month for six months