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Markham’s Gerwyn Price has booked his place in the quarter-finals of the Cazoo World Darts Championship.
Top seed Price was the first player to advance to the last eight, continuing his bid for a second World Championship crown with a resounding 4-1 win against Jose De Sousa on Thursday.
The former rugby player made a confident start to draw first blood in 14, 15 and 15 darts, before punishing multiple missed opportunities from De Sousa to double his lead.
The Portuguese star, who produced remarkable comeback wins over Simon Whitlock and Ryan Searle earlier in the event, threatened to repeat the feat after halving the deficit in set three.
The 2021 World Champion avoided a similar fate however, coming out on top in a topsy-turvy fourth set before producing a superb 12-darter to seal his progression in style.
“I just wanted to win – it doesn’t matter about the performance,” said Price, who will play Gabriel Clemens or Alan Soutar in the last eight on New Year’s Day.
“I was battling against myself, battling against Jose, but I felt comfortable all the way through the game. I thought I was going to win the game, it was just a matter of time.
“I knew how well I could play. I knew I wasn’t playing at my best, but when chances did come my way I took them.”
Fellow Welshman Jonny Clayton, from Llanelli, also secured his spot in the last eight after recovering from 3-2 down against Josh Rock to win 4-3.
Price’s apology for gesture
Price has apologised for an offensive gesture he made during his match.
After missing a 180, he pressed his tongue into his lower lip and held his hands out in front of him – a gesture often used to mock disabled people.
Price issued the apology through the PDC and his actions also prompted an on-air apology from broadcasters Sky Sports.
In a statement, the PDC said Price had been “reminded of the standards expected of him as a professional”.
The PDC said: “He has stressed to us that it was a spontaneous gesture and he did not intend for it to cause offence.
“He is upset to think that anyone may think otherwise and would like to apologise sincerely for any distress he may have caused.”
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