Gerwyn Price believes the Wolverhampton crowd can inspire his bid for a fourth Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts title this weekend.
Price will play Ricky Evans in Friday’s opening quarter-final at WV Active Aldersley, as the Welshman bids to avenge his defeat to the quick-fire Kettering star in his opening round-robin game on Saturday.
Despite his 5-4 defeat to Evans in Group D, Price dispatched James Wade and Stefan Bellmont to secure top spot, before overcoming German number one Martin Schindler in the last 16.
The 40-year-old produced a sensational 170 checkout on his way to a 10-6 victory, defying a mid-game fightback from Schindler to confirm his progress.
“It was a difficult game,” reflected Price, one of four Grand Slam champions featuring in the last eight.
“Martin was nowhere near his best. Towards the end we started to play a bit better, but in the end I was just happy to get over the finishing line.
“I should have been 8-2 up, so I was disappointed and I beat myself up allowing him to come back, but I was proud of myself to come through that.”
Only Phil Taylor has won more Grand Slam titles than Price, who lifted the coveted Eric Bristow Trophy in 2018, 2019 and 2021 – equalling Michael van Gerwen’s tally at this event.
The former World Champion received plenty of support from the Wolverhampton crowd against Schindler, and he’ll be hoping that trend continues against Evans.
“My start [against Schindler] was partly to do with the crowd – I don’t usually get this support, but they were fantastic," added Price.
“This is my favourite tournament. I always do well here, and with the crowd behind me now, I think I’ll do even better!”
Evans, meanwhile, is featuring in his maiden Grand Slam quarter-final, having overturned 8-5 and 9-7 deficits to deny Luke Woodhouse in a dramatic last 16 tussle.
The 35-year-old – also a former UK Open semi-finalist – defied a finger injury to complete an impressive comeback against Woodhouse and advance to his third televised ranking quarter-final.
“It winds me up because I don’t understand why it happens,” said Evans, referencing his injury issues.
“I keep saying I’m not nervous, but maybe I am deep down. It’s weird, I love being up there, but my body doesn’t always agree.
“Hopefully it will be fine in the quarter-finals. If it plays up again but I still win, then it can keep coming back for all I care!”
2025 Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts
Friday November 14 (1900 GMT)
2x Quarter-Finals
Ricky Evans v Gerwyn Price
Luke Humphries v Michael Smith
Saturday November 15 (1900 GMT)
2x Quarter-Finals
Danny Noppert v Lukas Wenig
Luke Littler v Josh Rock