THROWBACK VIDEO: Gerwyn Price throws stunning nine darter in semifinal of 2022 World Matchplay

The 2024 World Matchplay gets underway next Saturday at the iconic Winter Gardens in Blackpool. Nathan Aspinall starts the tournament as defending champion after being too strong for Jonny Clayton in last year's 18-6 final.

The World Matchplay is widely regarded as, after the World Darts Championship, the second largest tournament on the darting calendar. Moreover, together with the World Darts Championship and the Premier League Darts, it is part of the so-called 'Triple Crown' of the biggest titles available within the PDC system.

There have been many iconic moments in the history of the World Matchplay. Think of the 2002 edition, when Phil Taylor threw the first ever nine-darter live on UK television in his quarterfinal against Chris Mason. Or the 2018 final, in which Gary Anderson took the mammoth 21-19 from Mensur Suljovic, never were more legs played in a major final according to the leg format.

We return to 2022 for another iconic moment, when Gerwyn Price faced Danny Noppert in the semifinals. The Welshman, who had only narrowly survived a duel with José de Sousa in the previous round, started the match the stronger of the two, moving into a 7-5 lead. 'The Iceman' then opened the thirteenth leg of the contest with two consecutive 180s, with 141 left, the Welshman then continued on, to hit a stunning nine darter.

Using the Welshman's typical method of treble 19 first and then treble 20, Price had a chance at double 12 and he did not miss it! Much to the delight of the crowd at the Winter Gardens, which went completely crazy. Price, who had already thrown three nine darters earlier in the year, also won the match 17-11.

In the final, however, the former world champion lost out 18-14 to Michael van Gerwen. This leaves 'The Iceman' still in the hunt for his first World Matchplay title. Maybe this year? In the first round he takes on Daryl Gurney.