'I wanted to stop the rot': Gerwyn Price buoyed by US Darts Masters upsets to put on show in the Big Apple

Gerwyn Price shone in the Big Apple on Friday night as he set up a later to be confirmed tie with Michael van Gerwen on Saturday. He hit a 102.47 average and six 180's in a 6-2 victory over Adam Sevada.

Price nearly hit a nine-dart finish and said that after the reception he got with no booing and the fans being right behind him, he wanted to reward them.

He also said about wanting to stop the rot with the two wins for Danny Lauby and Jason Brandon pricking ears up and he said he needed to put on a show as a result and stop the rot.

"I thought I played alright. I slipped up a few times on his own throw when I probably tried a bit too hard to get that break and I think at 2-2 I was kicking myself. I probably should've been at least 3-1. I played well after that to try and put him under a lot of pressure which I did, unfortunate with the nine-darter but a win's a win," said Price to Online Darts.

"I was desperate for it (the nine-darter) but it just clipped the wire and slipped into the triple five. For me it was just the main thing get a win and look forward to playing tomorrow. Stop the rot a couple of boys that lost before me so I didn't want to join the trend."

"I think it's harder when they all win as you don't want to be the one to lose. When it goes two on the bounce which it doesn't happen very often, the American boys played well but I wanted to stop the rot."

"It was amazing, the crowd were neutral which is good. In patches when I was scoring well they were right behind me. I've had it for the last 12-18 months where people have been getting on my side and it goes to show I'm scoring well and I'm trying to hit nine-darters and get the crowd going and I'm getting it back."

"I was expecting a bit more of a battle up there but I put him under a lot of pressure and probably made him miss. The American's and Canadian's are getting better and I'm ready for them."