Gerwyn Price, Gian van Veen, and James Wade secured their spots in the quarter-finals of the World Matchplay after a dramatic night in Blackpool, highlighted by Cameron Menzies' withdrawal due to illness.

Price dominated Rob Cross with an 11-5 victory. The match took a turn when Price, initially trailing 3-2, seized control by winning six consecutive legs, moving to an 8-3 lead. Despite Cross's brief comeback, Price finished strong, stating, "If I want to win this tournament I need to be a lot better than that but I am going in the right direction."

Menzies' match against Ross Smith was abruptly halted after he fainted on stage while leading 2-1. Medical assessments revealed he experienced high blood pressure, leading to his withdrawal. Smith advanced to face Price in the quarter-finals.

In another thrilling encounter, Van Veen triumphed over Wessel Nijman in a 14-12 tie-break, marking a rematch against Wade. Their previous encounter ended in a 16-13 defeat for Van Veen in 2025. This time, he fought back from behind, including an impressive 148 checkout under pressure to level the match at 11-11 before securing victory.

Wade also advanced, overcoming Ryan Searle in an 11-8 battle that showcased his experience. The match was closely contested, but Wade’s 121 checkout and 143 finish helped him maintain his lead and secure his place in the quarter-finals.

The quarter-final action continues Thursday, featuring a highly anticipated match between Luke Littler and Josh Rock, along with Gary Anderson facing Dirk van Duijvenbode.