By Tom Prosser
Welsh darts star Gerwyn Price dug deep to come from behind and defeat Mervyn King 3-1 to secure his place in the quarter-finals of the World Grand Prix.
Price, the current world number one and world champion, was the deserved winner and showed his ability to up his game during the decisive moments of the match.
“When I lost the first set, I was beating myself up,” Price said on Sky Sports.
“I should learn not to do that, because I was playing pretty well for most of the game, and the main thing is I won. I had to dig deep.”
After Michael van Gerwen, Peter Wright and Gary Anderson had all crashed out of the competition, the draw appeared wide open for the Markham thrower to successfully defend his title at the Morningside Arena in Leicester.
Another upset, though, looked on the cards when King, the world number 21, wrapped up the opening set 3-1 with a 109 checkout.
The Iceman, though, kept his cool to square the contest before edging the third set in a deciding leg.
World Grand Prix selections up ahead of tonight’s matches. Just 12 players left in the field now and Gerwyn Price should be licking his lips knowing that with de Sousa or Clayton will drop out as well tonight. https://t.co/N1KaT2Evzd
— StattoBets (@stattobets) October 6, 2021
Having regained the momentum, Welshman Price never looked like relinquishing control as another break helped clinch the match, having thrown five 180s with an average of 93.19.
The 36-year-old will now face Dave Chisnall in the Quarter-Finals on Thursday.
Price beat Chisnall in the semi-final of last year’s tournament butdid have to survive three match darts in the process from his opponent who is currently ranked number eight in the world.