Jonny Clayton Through To The World Grand Prix Quarter-Final. . .As Hopes Of An All Welsh Final Remain Alive

By Tom Prosser

Premier League champion Jonny Clayton has joined his Welsh darting colleague Gerwyn Price in the Quarter-finals of the World Grand Prix.

The former World Cup winning duo are now on a potential collision course to meet in the final.

“I’m not thinking too much about that yet,” explained Clayton.

“I just want to focus on winning but If I do my job and Gezzy does his, then great.”

Clayton beat the tournament’s seventh seed Jose De Sousa 3-1 to advance to the quarter’s and took eight of the last nine legs during the closing stages of the match.

Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton lifting the World Cup of Darts trophy. Pic: PDC

“I’m happy with that,” said Clayton.

“I lost the first set to a class player so I had to dig deep.

“I broke him back in the second set and I did my job. It was good darts by both of us, I kept my nerve and got over the finishing line so I’m happy.

Clayton has previously won both the Masters and the Premier League in the first half of this year but neither of those tournaments count towards the rankings so he is hoping to put that right in the coming days.

Jonny Clayton with the Premier League trophy. Pic: Getty Images.

“I’m chasing a ranked event, and hopefully this is it so let’s see what happens. I’m going to try my best to get to the final and try and win it.

Clayton, who is from Pontyberem in West Wales was delighted with the Welsh support for the event which is being held in Leicester.

“It’s like home from home.

“All the Welsh are here, with their flags and shirts, it’s awesome.”

Both Clayton and Price are in action this evening (Thursday). Price takes on Dave Chisnall whilst Clayton will do battle with the in-form ‘Polish Eagle’ Krzysztof Ratajski.