Price and Humphries will faceoff in the World Grand Prix Final after thrilling semi-final victories

Price and Humphries will faceoff in the World Grand Prix Final after thrilling semi-final victories

Gerwyn Price will face Luke Humphries in the 2023 BoyleSports World Grand Prix final after defeating Michael Smith and Joe Cullen in the semi-finals in Leicester on Saturday.

Price, the only past champion still competing, overcame a mid-game dip to defeat World Champion Smith 4-2 in Saturday’s opening semi-final at the Morningside Arena.

Humphries then took advantage of Cullen’s careless play to go to his second televised ranking final, winning in straight sets against the previous Premier League runner-up.

Price, on the other hand, is one win away from a second double-start title after dispatching Smith and advancing to his third World Grand Prix final in four years.

The 2020 champion made a foreboding start to the match, blazing back-to-back 180s on his way to a 12-dart break, and he eventually delivered the first blow in an error-strewn conclusion to set one.

All five legs were won against throw in the first stanza, with Smith wasting three darts to draw first blood after Price had missed opportunities earlier in the game.

In set two, Price was penalised for missing a dart at double 12 for 2-0, and Smith took advantage of the reprieve to gain control of the semi-final.

The St Helens star finished set three with a massive 110 average, conjuring up a ten-dart leg to pile on the pressure.

The Welshman reacted with an equally dominant fourth set to tie the match at two sets apiece, converting a 109 checkout to halt the rot before punishing Smith’s errors on the first doubles.

Price finally found his range on the outside of the ring, which coincided with Smith’s fall in form, and it all unravelled for the World Champion in the final stages, as Price drove to victory.

“Michael Smith is the World Champion and world number one, so I knew it was going to be difficult,” reflected Price, who had not dropped a set in reaching the semi-finals.

“I felt 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 then on.

“It was a difficult game but one that I’m glad I came through. Luke is a great player, he’s had a bit of lady-luck on his side in this tournament, but it will be tough tomorrow.”

Humphries came back from a set down to defeat 2018 runner-up Peter Wright in the quarter-finals on Friday, and he went on to whitewash Cullen in seven straight sets.

The Yorkshireman had a nightmare on the outer ring in the first set, missing 19 of his first 21 darts at double, and Humphries took advantage to take a two-set lead.

Humphries improved his game in set three to maintain his lead, before executing an easy 138 combination midway through the fourth to move a leg closer to Sunday’s spectacular.

Cullen threatened to turn the tide seconds later with a superb 150 skin-saver, but Humphries snuffed off any thoughts of a comeback to reach his first televised final since March 2021.

“I’m really happy. The last major final I made was behind-closed-doors, and now I finally get to enjoy that major final in front of a crowd,” said Humphries, a UK Open runner-up two years ago.

“We dedicate everything for these moments, and I’m going to give it my all tomorrow. I will put everything on the line, and it will come down to who can hold their nerve.

“I’ve got a good record against Gezzy this year which does give me confidence, but this is a different ball game. I’m going to enjoy it, because these opportunities don’t come around every day.”

2023 BoyleSports World Grand Prix

Saturday October 7

Semi-Finals

Gerwyn Price 4-2 Michael Smith (3-2, 2-3, 0-3, 3-0, 3-1, 3-0)

Luke Humphries 4-0 Joe Cullen (3-1, 3-1, 3-1, 3-2)

Sunday October 8 (2000 BST)

Final

Gerwyn Price v Luke Humphries