Nathan Aspinall’s World Matchplay title defence ended when he lost 11-8 to James Wade and Gerwyn Price was also eliminated on Tuesday.
Aspinall was playing with an elbow injury he had been carrying since the latter stages of the Premier League Darts in May and he will now receive treatment on his arm.
Wade is back in the quarter-finals for the first time in five years and will face compatriot Ross Smith, who got the better of Price.
“I was lucky! I have nothing to prove,” said Wade, the 2007 Matchplay winner.
“As I always say, and it’s quite boring, no one else has won more tournaments than me apart from Michael (van Gerwen) and Phil (Taylor).
“I just do what I do. I was very lucky to beat Nathan. I’m happy to move forward. I’m happy, I’m smiling, so everything’s good.”
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Nathan Aspinall gets the crowd singing again with delightful rendition of Mr Brightside at World Matchplay
Wade took a 4-0 lead but Aspinall managed to come back to 5-5 as the crowd cheered on the defending champion.
The pair shared the next six legs, but Wade capitalised on Aspinall’s poor score to break at 8-8 and won the next two legs to book a place in the last eight.
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James Wade knocks out reigning Matchplay champion Nathan Aspinall to reach quarter-finals
“The first four stages, Wade was good, and the last four stages too,” said Sky Sports Darts Wayne Mardle.
“All credit to Nathan because at 4-0 it looked dire. At 8-7 it was hard to predict. Wade’s double wasn’t majestic but his scoring was better at times.
“James knows that type of form won’t win him a tournament but it was enough to win this match. Wade will beat anyone who is slightly off the pace and Aspinall was off the pace.”
Prices are collapsing
Before Wade’s victory, Smith secured a dramatic 11-9 victory over world number four Price at Winter Gardens.
At 3-3, Price had seven consecutive breaks and now led 7-6. However, a 12-dart leg from Smith levelled at 8-8.
At 10-9, Smith broke Price to win a tight game and was relieved to defeat the Welshman.
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Ross Smith scores epic 11-9 win over Gerwyn Price to reach World Matchplay quarter-finals
“I kept telling myself I had to fight because the first half of the game we weren’t in the race, so I was trying to motivate myself,” Smith said.
“It means the world to me. I work really hard for it. Being in the quarter-finals at the Matchplay is something I watched as a kid.
“It’s huge for the ranking. I know that in the back of my mind, it’s there, so I’m really happy with my performance. I’m over the moon.”
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Ross Smith was delighted to win an epic encounter with Gerwyn Price to reach the quarter-finals of the World Matchplay
Humphries overcomes Bunting test
World number one Luke Humphries beat Stephen Bunting 11-7 to confirm his status as favourite.
Humphries responded immediately to Bunting’s breaks in the eighth and twelfth ends before pulling away from an 8-7 lead and will face Dimitri van den Bergh in the quarter-finals.
“Stephen and I are really good friends. We get on really well. He’s a lovely guy and I can see why the fans love him,” Humphries said.
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Luke Humphries felt he fell short of his best against Stephen Bunting and was “not far from his best” but eventually reached the quarter-finals
“We enjoy playing against each other because he doesn’t play against me, he plays the game. I didn’t have it my way. We both missed a few shots. I feel blessed to have made it to the next round, but I think the doubles made the difference.
“He’s a player you can’t get rid of. You have to give it your all and win. I have to admit I wasn’t at my best but I scored at times. Stephen is a fighter and he put pressure on me in every set and I’m happy to have won the match.”
In the final match of the evening, Van den Bergh claimed the most comfortable victory on Tuesday by eliminating last year’s Matchplay finalist Jonny Clayton with an 11-5 win.
What’s happening at the World Matchplay on Wednesday?
The second round concludes on Wednesday at the World Matchplay, with Krzysztof Ratajski taking on Andrew Gilding in the first match of the evening at 7pm – live on Sky Sports Action.
Rob Cross survived a big scare in the first round and will need to raise his game against Ryan Searle, who was very impressive on Monday.
After his victory over Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen meets Joe Cullen, then Michael Smith faces Chris Dobey in the final match of the second round.
The World Matchplay continues on Wednesday at 7pm as the second round concludes live on Sky Sports Action. Get instant access to World Matchplay for £26 with NOW.
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