Preview World Grand Prix Friday night: Quarterfinals including Littler-Price as headline act

The World Grand Prix 2025 continues Friday night with the quarterfinals. Luke Humphries and Luke Littler - the numbers one and two in the world - still have a chance at the final victory in this prestigious major.

The format is exactly the same as in the previous round. The matches will still go to best-of-5 sets, meaning a player must win three sets to secure a spot in the semifinals.
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The World Grand Prix is one of the most unique tournaments on the calendar at the PDC. This is because the legs not only end with a double, but must also be started with it. Also, the tournament is finished with a set system.

The event was first introduced in 1998 and back then it was Phil Taylor who won the World Grand Prix to his name. The English darts legend would eventually win the tournament 11 times. Of the active players, Michael van Gerwen won the double-in double-out tournament the most often. Indeed, "Mighty Mike" got to lift the trophy six times. Mike de Decker began as the defending champion at the World Grand Prix, after finishing off Luke Humphries in the final at the 2024 edition. However, the 29-year-old Belgian will not extend his title this year after losing 3-0 to Luke Littler in the previous round. Below we give you a preview of the quarter-finals.

The first quarterfinal of the World Grand Prix brings a great tie: Danny Noppert against Gary Anderson. Two men with completely different darts histories, but with a common denominator: form and composure are the key to their success. In recent seasons, Noppert has emerged as one of the most stable players on the circuit. His timing is often superb: where others succumb to pressure, Noppert seems to revive just in the decisive legs. In recent rounds he has impressed with his opening doubles, something that is crucial in this unique format. Noppert successively defeated Jermaine Wattimena and Stephen Bunting and will hunt for a second major title this week, after winning the UK Open in 2022.

Opponent Gary Anderson is a man experiencing his second youth. The Scot, a two-time world champion, at age 54, is still one of the top favorites for final wins. His fluid pitching and fast rhythm are creating fireworks, and it seems Anderson is enjoying the game again. Where he visibly struggled with motivation before, he now exudes calm and fun. That's dangerous for any opponent. Anderson opened this tournament with a difficult win against Raymond van Barneveld, but then won extremely easily against an undersized Joe Cullen. Against Noppert, an exciting match already announces itself.

In the second quarterfinal, the first of two remaining Dutchmen will be in action. After all, Dirk van Duijvenbode takes on Jonny Clayton. The flamboyant Dutchman versus the modest Welsh gentleman. Two styles that could hardly be more different from each other, but on stage that just creates sparks.

Van Duijvenbode - plagued in part by injury - had a difficult 2024, but is quietly standing there again. His signature intensity, his loud bursts and aggressive rhythm are often infectious. Yet the question remains whether he can maintain that level in the longer matches, as the double-in start is not Van Duijvenbodes' favorite part, and that may well play tricks on him against someone like Clayton, who is known for his high doubles percentage.

Jonny Clayton is the master of composure. His fluid style and natural elegance have already won him several major titles, including the Premier League Darts and the World Grand Prix. Clayton reached the final at the Masters and the semifinals at the UK Open earlier this year. 'The Ferret' is therefore aiming for overall victory this week in the tournament he already won once in 2021.

What a match then awaits: Luke Littler against Gerwyn Price. The young sensation against the experienced champion, the teenager who took darts by storm against the former rugby player who provides the sport with power and emotion. This duel is undoubtedly the crowd-pleasing highlight of the quarter-finals.

Luke Littler, still only 18, continues to amaze. Since his sensational emergence at the World Championship two years ago, he has proven he is no one-hit wonder. Yet the World Grand Prix is a different beast: the double-in format is merciless to whoever slackens for even a moment. Littler, however, has adapted with lightning speed and shows that he is also growing tactically.

Gerwyn Price is the antithesis in almost everything. Where Littler remains quiet and controlled, Price plays with fire, aggression and passion. Price particularly impressed in the previous round by winning with great play from Josh Rock. If he can show that level of play again against Littler, we will probably get a great match.

In the final quarterfinal of the evening, Luke Humphries takes on Cameron Menzies. Humphries already won two majors this year and is aiming for a third triumph. 'Cool Hand Luke' also has good experience with the World Grand Prix, he already won this tournament once in 2023 and reached the final last year. The 30-year-old Englishman has repeatedly proven that he can handle stress well and therefore never panics in this special format of the World Grand Prix.

Menzies, on the other hand, is the underdog who has stolen the public's heart. The Scot, known for his loose style and eccentric personality, already impressed this tournament with wins against Chris Dobey and Rob Cross, respectively. Still, Humphries is the clear favorite in this quarterfinal. For Menzies it will be especially important to get off to a good start, because once Humphries gets ahead he is often difficult to stop.