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Garwyn Price insists he can thwart Luke Littler’s bid for back-to-back World Matchplay titles and believes some players ‘make it too easy’ for the defending champion.
Price made his first World Matchplay semi-final since 2022 with a 16-12 win over Ross Smith at the Winter Gardens, where the ‘Ice Man’ averaged 102.78 and closed out the win with a four-legged blast.
The Welshman will face world No 3 Gian van Veen in the last four, with the winner of that semi-final taking on either Littler or Dutchman Dirk van Duyvenbode in Sunday’s best-of-35-leg final.
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Garwin Price produced a series of stunning checkouts to defeat a Tester Ross Smith and make the last four.
Littler has beaten Price in every Premier League match between them this season and a final-set decider in the World Masters semi-final, while ‘The Nuke’ is unbeaten in 20 legs of a PDC major since his 2024 World Championship final loss.
World No 1 Michael van Gerwen, the overwhelming favorite to become the first player to defend his world matchplay crown, posted a 109.57 average in his win over Josh Rock, although Price insisted he could be stopped.
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Luke Littler admits he played some of the best darts of his career after a dominant World Matchplay quarter-final win over Josh Rock
“I think a lot of players can get to that (Littler) level,” Price told reporters after the quarterfinal win.
“Is there anybody who can do it like him? I think I can and I think there are a few players out there, but he’s ruthless at the moment – that 109, 110 average looks too easy for him.
“I think some players play into his hands and let him play with his rhythm. It’s horse for horse and sometimes you have to play your game, you have to play the game and you have to play the moments.
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Highlights of the quarter-final between Luke Littler and Josh Rock at World Matchplay
“Sometimes, people make it a little too easy for him.”
More to come in the Van Veen Showdown?
Price led 12-8 over Smith in a quarter-final where he threatened to go further, then showed himself level at 12-12 until finishing strongly to reach the last four.
Garwin Price, World Matchplay Darts 2026
“I was happy with the way I played most of the game, but there were a few legs that I let slip and could have come back to haunt me at the end,” Price added.
“I’m thinking I’m 13-7 or 14-6 or whatever, because I wasted an opportunity and probably shouldn’t be thinking like that. I’m happy to win, but a little bit disappointed.”
Van Veen admitted he needs to improve after his 16-13 quarter-final win over James Wade, where he posted a 93 average and also blew a four-leg advantage before the win ended.
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Gian van Veen fired in a brilliant 160 checkout to edge James Wade 9-6 during their quarter-final.
“Looked so bad!” Van Veen Joined Sky Sports. “My scoring was terrible. I was very lucky James wasn’t scoring as well and my finishing gave me a win. A win is a win.
“118 finish – I really needed it. It was a tough battle but I’m glad I did the job. Hopefully I can be much better tomorrow.”
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Gian van Veen defeated James Wade 16-13 to seal the tie and set up a thrilling World Matchplay semi-final against Gerwyn Price.
What next?
The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay continues at the iconic Winter Garden on Saturday, with two best-of-33 semi-finals to determine who advances to Sunday’s best-of-35 final.
Defending champion Littler continued his bid for back-to-back titles when he faced van Duyvenbode, reaching the last four for the first time at the event, with Price playing van Veen in the first semi-final.
Who will win this year’s World Matchplay Darts? Watch the weekend live on Sky Sports. Live coverage continues from 7.30pm on Saturday evenings on Sky Sports Action and until 9pm on Sky Sports Main Events. Stream darts and more great games now.
