The Winter Gardens in Blackpool played host to dramatic moments during the latest stage of the World Matchplay on Wednesday. Gerwyn Price secured his place in the quarter-finals with a strong 11-5 victory over Rob Cross, while the event saw one of its most unexpected developments when Cameron Menzies had to pull out of his match due to sudden illness on stage.
Menzies, a rising star who had stunned world number two Luke Humphries in the first round, began to show signs of unease during the fourth leg of his second-round encounter with Ross Smith. After appearing disoriented, he collapsed and fainted just minutes later. Medical staff immediately attended to him, and he was taken off the stage to return to his accommodation. Following a medical evaluation, Menzies was cleared, but his condition remained too severe to continue. The match was officially abandoned, allowing Smith to progress to the next round without playing a single more leg.
Price claims control in comeback win
In the headline clash of the night, Gerwyn Price showed his trademark grit as he came from behind to dominate the match. Trailing 3-2 at one point, the Welsh star found his rhythm and reeled off six straight legs to take a commanding 8-3 lead over Rob Cross. Although Cross managed to chip away at the deficit and bring the score to 8-5, Price responded with a series of clutch finishes. He completed the match with a powerful display, sealing his victory and booking a place in the quarter-finals.
Reflecting on the match, Price admitted he had struggled to find consistency but remained hopeful for the coming rounds. 'I couldn’t find my scoring game, it was up and down,' he said in an interview with Sky Sports. 'If I want to win this tournament, I need to be a lot better than that. But I’m going in the right direction.' The Welshman also expressed his eagerness to face Ross Smith in the next round, highlighting the energy and buzz he believes his opponent will bring to the match.
Van Veen stuns Nijman in epic tie-breaker
Another unforgettable moment came in the clash between Gian van Veen and Wessel Nijman, where the Dutch duo delivered a high-octane battle that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Nijman had been in blistering form all year, winning six Pro Tour titles in 2026 and proving he could compete on the grand stage. However, against the world number three Van Veen, he found himself in a tough battle from the start.
Van Veen took control of the match early, securing two breaks of throw and a stunning 135 checkout on the bull to lead 4-1. Nijman fought back with four of the next five legs to level the score at 5-5, creating one of the most intense rivalries of the night. Sky Sports commentator Wayne Mardle had predicted a nail-biting match, and he wasn’t wrong. Both players maintained high averages around the 97 mark, with Van Veen and Nijman trading blows throughout.
The tension reached its peak as Nijman edged ahead with a break of throw and took an 11-10 lead. However, Van Veen refused to back down, producing a miraculous 148 checkout under immense pressure to level the match at 11-11. The deciding 25th leg became the moment of truth. Van Veen broke Nijman’s throw and then delivered a double 16 to finish the match, denying Nijman his first major quarter-final appearance.
Van Veen now looks ahead to a rematch with James Wade in the quarter-finals. With his composure and skill on full display, Van Veen will be looking to secure a place in the next round and make his mark in what promises to be another thrilling chapter of the tournament.
The World Matchplay continues to deliver unforgettable moments, and fans can follow all the action as it happens on Sky Sports. With Gerwyn Price, Ross Smith, and Gian van Veen joining James Wade in the quarter-finals, the coming days are sure to bring more drama and excitement at the Winter Gardens.