By Gareth James
Gerwyn Price’s campaign at the Paddy Power World Darts Championship came to a dramatic halt as Chris Dobey staged an extraordinary comeback to eliminate Wales’ 2021 champion, 5-3, in a pulsating quarter-final clash.
“The Iceman” seemed on course for a vintage performance when he rallied back from 4-2 down to force a seventh set.
His antics on the stage – including a playful dance and pantomime villain theatrics – delighted sections of the Alexandra Palace crowd and rekindled memories of his peak showmanship.
But the Welshman’s resurgence fell short as Dobey, who had thrown away a commanding lead at this stage of the tournament last year, showed nerves of steel to bounce back and clinch the eighth set 3-1.
DOBEY BREAKS NEW GROUND!
WHAT A WAY TO WIN IT!
Chris Dobey produces a majestic double-double finish to defeat Gerwyn Price 5-3 and move through to his first World Championship semi-final!
https://t.co/pIQvhqYxEj #WCDarts | QFs pic.twitter.com/TlRdIXOhdn
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 1, 2025
The result marked a significant upset and underscored Dobey’s growing stature in the sport.
“I’ve never been so nervous throwing at a winning double than I have today,” Dobey admitted.
“I was thinking about last year and kept telling myself, ‘Keep going, you will get another chance.’ Luckily, I found a way over the line. I’m overwhelmed.
“I respect Gerwyn immensely. His showmanship is great for the sport,” Dobey said. “He loves the big moments, and I think the crowd responds to that.”
The loss marked the end of Price’s bid for a second world title, despite glimpses of brilliance, as Wales’ last man standing bowed out.
His struggles to sustain consistency on doubles and his opponent’s resilience proved decisive.
Elsewhere, Luke Littler continued his meteoric rise with a commanding 5-2 victory over his close friend Nathan Aspinall.
Luke Littler and Nathan Aspinall both on nine-darters in a World Championship quarter-final and the Asp is just laughing pic.twitter.com/QiwHS8N6yy
— Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) January 1, 2025
The 17-year-old sensation dazzled with a 101.54 average, his eighth three-figure score on the Ally Pally stage since debuting in December 2023. Littler even flirted with a nine-darter in a leg that had the crowd roaring.
“I think we both played very well there,” Littler said. “The crowd were chanting for Nathan, they wanted the comeback, but I had to finish it. Now, I’m looking on to the semi-finals.”
Littler’s next opponent, Stephen Bunting, also impressed with a 5-2 win over Peter Wright. Bunting raced to a 4-0 lead before Wright rallied briefly, but the former held his nerve to secure his first semi-final appearance in four years.
“In the back room, I felt real nervous,” Bunting admitted. “But I knew I had to get through it. Peter is a fan favorite, and my son’s favorite player, so it was a tough match emotionally.”
Meanwhile, Michael van Gerwen awaits Dobey in the other semi-final, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to this year’s championship.
