Darts results: Joe Cullen & Gerwyn Price reach World Grand Prix quarter-finals in Coventry
Joe Cullen and Dave Chisnall both came through thrilling contests to claim their place in the quarter-finals of the World Grand Prix on a dramatic Friday night in Coventry.
Gerwyn Price and Jeffrey de Zwaan joined Cullen and Chisnall in making it through to Saturday's quarter-finals night at the Ricoh Arena.
Cullen and Jonny Clayton served up a treat in a dramatic final game of the night, ending with Cullen winning a last-leg decider to reach the quarter-finals for the first time.
The Yorkshireman looked to be cruising through, averaging just under 100 on his way to a two set lead.
🎯 Going down to the wire in the darts - the double-in really is an exciting format!#WorldGrandPrix pic.twitter.com/VRzwu6T9Lv
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) October 9, 2020
However, Clayton came roaring back, winning the deciding leg of set three before taking the fourth set 3-1 to take the contest all the way to a deciding set.
An unpredictable final set saw all five legs won against throw, with a timely 180 from Cullen in the decider teeing him up for a 74 checkout which he finished in two darts.
The world number 21's next assignment will see him face Chisnall, who also came through a thriller with Ryan Joyce.
CULLEN EDGES IT!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) October 9, 2020
That win means so much to Joe Cullen as he comes out on top in a nail-biting encounter with his good friend Jonny Clayton, hitting a crucial 180 to set up 74 in the deciding leg! pic.twitter.com/9WXD0IPIUU
The opening game of the night saw Chisnall survive seven match darts as he recovered from 2-0 down to defeat Joyce 3-2.
Debutant Joyce continued his relentless hitting of double 16 as he took a two set lead, but in the deciding leg of set three he missed four darts at tops and two at double ten for the match, allowing Chisnall a way back into the contest.
Two-time World Grand Prix runner-up Chisnall grasped the opportunity, edging the fourth set by one leg before winning three legs in a row in the decider to seal his passage into the last eight.
"I'm over the moon. I should be packing my bags to go home but I didn't give in and I waited for my chance to come, and it's nice to have a bit of luck," said Chisnall.
"I keep scraping through but I'll have to play a lot better than I did today. My starting doubles were awful.
"He was brilliant all the way through the game and I can't fault him, other than those missed doubles to win. I got a bit lucky tonight."
In-form Price continued his march towards a first World Grand Prix title with an impressive whitewash win over Belgian Huybrechts.
The world number three dominated the contest from the start, averaging 95.42 and hitting two ton-plus checkouts to reach the last eight for the second time in three years.
Huybrechts battled to the end but was unable to live with the scoring power of the Welshman who will take on Jeffrey de Zwaan on Saturday night.
"I was happy to get the first set and that put me at ease, and I played pretty well from there," explained Price.
BULLSEYE TO WIN IT!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) October 9, 2020
Stunning performance from Price there who wraps up a 3-0 victory over Kim Huybrechts with a 91 finish on the bull!
📺 LAST UP: Cullen v Clayton pic.twitter.com/QlWkqTEmDg
"I started really well today and put Kim under pressure. He played reasonably well but I was that bit better today, but there's still room for improvement.
"I'm more confident than I was after the first round, and this was a step in the right direction. I slipped up a couple of times and if you want to win tournaments like this then you have to be squeaky clean.
"I don't mind who I play these days, I think it's all about me. I believe in myself and if I turn up and play my A-game I'm hard to beat.
"I've not got a great record in this tournament but hopefully that can change."
De Zwaan also made it through in straight sets, blowing away Gabriel Clemens to make it through to his first TV quarter-final in almost a year.
A late replacement for Stephen Bunting in the field, De Zwaan enjoyed back-to-back triumphs as he dropped just two legs in the contest, sealing victory in style with a ten-dart leg.
"I've struggled for a long time this year but playing like that gave me goosebumps," De Zwaan admitted.
"It feels amazing to be in the quarter-finals and I've got a big chance. We'll see what happens and I'm looking forward to the next game.
"I've never lost against Gabriel and my confidence was there. In the last set, the feeling that I had was that I was flying and it was great to finish with the ten-darter."
Saturday night's action will begin with a meeting between Gary Anderson and Dirk van Duijvenbode, before Chisnall takes on Cullen.
Reigning champion Michael van Gerwen will play Simon Whitlock, while the final game of the night sees Price face De Zwaan.
The semi-finals will take place on Sunday October 11 and the final on Monday October 12.
World Grand Prix: Friday results and Saturday schedule
Friday October 9 (7pm)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports
Second Round (Best of five sets)
- Dave Chisnall 3-2 Ryan Joyce
- Jeffrey de Zwaan 3-0 Gabriel Clemens
- Gerwyn Price 3-0 Kim Huybrechts
- Joe Cullen 3-2 Jonny Clayton
Saturday October 10 (1900 BST)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports
Quarter-Finals
- Dirk van Duijvenbode v Gary Anderson
- Dave Chisnall v Joe Cullen
- Michael van Gerwen v Simon Whitlock
- Gerwyn Price v Jeffrey de Zwaan
Click here for full 2020 World Grand Prix draw and schedule
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