The second round of the World Matchplay will kick off Tuesday night with an exciting format change. Players will now need to win eleven legs to advance to the next round, adding an extra level of challenge to the competition.
According to the rules, there must be a difference of at least two legs to declare a winner. If the score is tied at 10-10 after twenty legs, a tie-break will be initiated. If the tie persists after six additional legs, a sudden-death leg will be played to determine the victor.
In the first match of the evening, Gerwyn Price will face off against Ross Smith, both of whom had convincing wins in their opening round matches. Price defeated Daryl Gurney 10-4, while Smith triumphed over Josh Rock with the same scoreline.
This clash marks the ninth meeting between the Welshman and the Englishman, with their head-to-head record currently tied at four wins each. Price has won the last two encounters, giving him the edge in momentum heading into this match.
Smith secured his first-ever World Matchplay victory in the previous round, setting the stage for a potential quarterfinal appearance. Price, on the other hand, has previously reached the quarterfinal stage in 2015, 2021, and 2022, with a runner-up finish in the most recent edition.
The next matchup features Nathan Aspinall against James Wade, the only unseeded player left in the top half of the draw. Wade defeated Danny Noppert 10-5 in the first round, while Aspinall overcame Luke Woodhouse 10-8 in a hard-fought battle.
Aspinall’s condition remains uncertain due to a severe arm injury that may sideline him for the next few months after the tournament. With an 11-9 lead in their head-to-head record, Aspinall will look to maintain his advantage over Wade, who has won their last two meetings.
Moving on to Luke Humphries versus Stephen Bunting, Humphries, the title favorite, showcased his dominance in the opening round with a convincing 10-4 victory over Ricardo Pietreczko. Bunting, on the other hand, narrowly edged out Ryan Joyce 12-10 in a thrilling encounter.
Humphries aims to reach the semifinals of the World Matchplay for the first time, while Bunting seeks to replicate his success from 2019 when he made it to the quarterfinals.
The final matchup of the evening features Jonny Clayton taking on Dimitri Van den Bergh. Bunting has only advanced to the quarterfinals once in his previous nine appearances at Blackpool, while Humphries looks to build on his 2023 semifinal finish.
Excitement is building as the World Matchplay heads into the second round, with players vying for a spot in the quarterfinals and eyes set on the ultimate prize.
