Follow Mail Sport’s live blog for the latest scores and updates from the World Darts Championship quarter-final games as Chris Dobey takes on Gerwyn Price and Michael van Gerwen faces Callan Rydz at Alexandra Palace.
Dobey 0-0 (2-2) Price*
A first raw of emotion from Price as he levels the game up again.
Decent from both on the doubles so far and we’re all set for a final leg to settle this first set.
Dobey* 0-0 (2-1) Price
Both players are looking good here.
Dobey checks out 16 to ensure the first set continues to go with the throw.
Impressive stuff, as he looks to finally reach a semi-final at this tournament.
Dobey 0-0 (1-1) Price*
Wow, stunning from Price.
He checks out 128 to level things straight back up, with Dobey nowhere near a finish.
A good response from the Welshman and the atmosphere is building up at Ally Pally.
Dobey* 0-0 (1-0) Price
Dobey starts with a 180 to put himself in control in this first leg.
It’s a little bit scrappy from Pice and Dobey punishes him by checking at 80.
A good start from the Englishman.
A reminder that it is first to five sets today.
Walk-ons are here
Both players are out and Alexandra Palace is bouncing.
Chris Dobey is lapping this up and ooks really focused as he comes out to ‘Let’s get ready to rumble’.
Meanwhile, Price comes out to his classic Ice Ice Baby, although he’s copping a few boos from the crowd.
What a game we have in store.
Dobey will get us underway by throwing first.
Price and Dobey excited by the challenge
They’ve just been speaking to Sky Sports ahead of things getting underway and here’s what they had to say.
Last year (the quarter-final) was a disaster, but it’s a new year and a new beginning so hopefully I can get over the line. I’ve been practicing last night and (double 16) seems to be going, and as long as it goes on the day.
It’s (playing against Price) good. I remember playing him in one of my first semi-finals on TV and I probably should’ve won that game. He’ll hopefully bring the best out of me and I’m looking forward to it.
You’re probably seeing 50 per cent of me. Half the game I’m playing great, then I’m dropping off. There are no mind games here, everytime I’ve played him, he’s played really well.
How did they get here?
It’s not been easy for both Gerwyn Price and Chris Dobey so far at Alexandra Palace, but what have their journeys been to the quarter-final stage?
2nd round – 3-0 vs Keane Barry
3rd round – 4-3 vs Joe Cullen
4th round – 4-2 vs Jonny Clayton
2nd round – 3-1 vs Alexander Merkx
3rd round – 4-2 vs Josh Rock
4th round – 4-3 vs Kevin Doets
Humphries’ pick for the title
It was a huge shock on Sunday night when reigning world champion and world No 1 Luke Humphries was beaten 4-1 by Peter Wright.
It must be acknowledged that Wright was on fire, averaging more than 100 and hitting 70 per cent of his doubles, but it still left punters hugely suprised given Humphries’ brilliant year.
The 29-year-old may not be in contention at Alexandra Palace any longer, but he still revealed who he would like to lift the trophy.
Read the full story below…
The calm before the storm
An eventful year
Let’s see what 2025 brings…
Celeb spotting at Ally Pally
We saw Tottenham stars Brennan Johnson and James Maddison, Man City’s Kyle Walker and Southampton and England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale in attendance on Monday night.
I expect there will be plenty more big names there today so we’ll keep an eye out across the crowd for you.
New Year, same Ally Pally
Some great fancy dress outfits have been spotted already on New Year’s Day at Alexandra Palace.
That’s one way to deal with a New Year’s hangover…
Is the door open for van Gerwen?
After Dobey vs Price, Michael van Gerwen is set to take on Callan Rydz, who has been one of the stories of the tournament.
It’s fair to say it’s been a tough year for van Gerwen, but the Dutchman has shown signs of being back to his best over the past few weeks.
And with the likes of Luke Humphries and Gary Anderson out, has the door been left open for the 35-year-old to win his fourth World Championship – and first since 2019?
He wrapped up a 4-2 victory against Jeffrey de Graaf in the last-16 stage on Monday.
Price’s Palace Protest
Who can forget this incredible moment from the quarter-finals two years ago?
We mentioned about Price being somewhat of a pantomine villain at Alexandra Palace, but at the 2023 tournament it seemingly got too much for the Welshman.
At 3-1 down to Gabriel Clemens, he came out for the fifth set with ear defenders on in a remarkable sign of defiance – or maybe protest – towards a hostile crowd.
Unfortunately, the unprecedented move didn’t work as Price was unable to prevent being knocked out in a shock result by the German.
Chris Dobey vs Gerwyn Price
First up, we’ve got Chris Dobey vs Gerwyn Price which sees the world No 15 up against the world No 10.
Price has always been somewhat of a pantomine villain at Alexandra Palace, although we haven’t seen the Welshman receive too much stick this year.
It promises to be a fantastic encounter against Dobey, who always finds a way to compete in these big TV tournaments, although he’s never gone past this stage before.
Today’s agenda
We really do have a fantastic day in store today in north London, with four mouthwatering match-ups on the oche.
Below is the full schedule with expected start times for each match.
12:40PM – Chris Dobey vs Gerwyn Price
2.10PM – Michael van Gerwen vs Callan Rydz
7:10PM – Peter Wright vs Stephen Bunting
8:40PM – Luke Littler vs Nathan Aspinall
Good Afternoon
And welcome to Mail Sport’s live coverage of the World Darts Championship quarter-finals.
We’ve got a blockbuster day of action in store, so be sure to stick with us throughout the afternoon and evening for all the updates from Alexandra Palace.
