Gerwyn Price is back in the World Matchplay semi-finals for the first time since 2022 after beating Ross Smith 16-12 at the Winter Gardens, and he did not hide his belief that Luke Littler can be challenged at the top of the game.
Price produced a 102.78 average to see off Smith and keep his bid alive for a first Blackpool final since 2022. The result also sets up a semi-final against Gian van Veen on Saturday, with the winner moving on to face either Luke Littler or Dirk van Duijvenbode in Sunday’s best-of-35 leg final.
The win mattered beyond just the scoreline. Littler arrives as the pre-tournament favourite to defend his title, and Price has already seen plenty of the teenager this season. Littler beat him in every Premier League meeting between them and also came through a final-set decider against him in the World Masters semi-finals. Even so, Price left no doubt that he thinks the reigning star can be slowed down.
Price: Littler can be stopped
Speaking after his quarter-final win, Price said there are plenty of players who can reach Littler’s level, and suggested he believes he is one of them. He also pointed to the numbers Littler has been producing, saying the 109 and 110 averages can look almost routine when he is in full flow.
Price’s main point was that opponents cannot simply stand back and allow Littler to settle into his rhythm. He said some players make it too easy for him, and argued that the key is to play your own game and handle the key moments rather than get drawn into the pace he wants.
That is the challenge facing every player left in the draw. Littler has remained unbeaten in PDC major matches over 20 legs since losing the 2024 World Championship final, so the path to stopping him is clear in theory even if it is much harder in practice. Price’s message, though, was straightforward: Littler is not untouchable.
First, though, Price has his own semi-final to win. Gian van Veen booked his place with a 16-13 victory over James Wade, and now stands between Price and a return to the World Matchplay final stage. If Price keeps his level from the Ross Smith match, he will give himself a real chance to reach Sunday’s final and possibly meet the man he has already been talking about all week.
