In an exciting round at the World Matchplay, James Wade and Jonny Clayton secured their spots in the semi-finals after impressive victories on Thursday night at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens. Wade triumphed over Gian van Veen with a score of 16-13, showcasing his skill by winning eight consecutive legs. Meanwhile, Clayton delivered a commanding performance against Stephen Bunting, winning by 16-7.
Wade’s Milestone and Clayton’s Journey
This marks Wade’s tenth appearance in a Matchplay semi-final, a significant milestone in his career. Notably, this achievement comes during his 20th consecutive appearance at the Winter Gardens, where he previously lost to eventual champion Luke Humphries in 2024.
Clayton, on the other hand, is reaching the semi-finals of the Winter Gardens for only the second time. His first appearance was in 2023, where he ultimately fell to Nathan Aspinall in the final. The upcoming semi-final will be the 30th encounter between Wade and Clayton, with Clayton leading the head-to-head statistics at 16 wins to Wade’s 13.
Upcoming Matches
The second semi-final will be determined on Friday night, featuring Luke Littler against Andrew Gilding and Gerwyn Price facing Josh Rock. These matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports starting at 19:30.
The World Matchplay continues to captivate fans, with live coverage available from July 19-27. For those looking to catch the action, streaming is also available without a contract.
