Cameron Menzies was forced to forfeit his second-round match at the World Matchplay in Blackpool on Wednesday after falling ill on stage. The Scottish darts player, who led 2-1 against Ross Smith, received on-site medical attention for high blood pressure before being cleared to return to his accommodation.
The Medical Incident on Stage
The match between Cameron Menzies and Ross Smith ended abruptly on Wednesday when Menzies, while leading 2-1, stepped away from the oche. According to the BBC report on the event, the player appeared unsteady before being guided off the stage by his opponent and the referee.
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) later clarified the nature of the emergency, confirming that Menzies had been assessed by their medical team.
“Cameron experienced high blood pressure, which caused him to feel dizzy and subsequently faint. Following an assessment by the on-site medical team, Cameron was deemed well enough to return to his accommodation. We wish Cameron all the best and look forward to seeing him back in action soon.”
PDC, via BBC
Because Menzies was unable to return to the stage to continue play, the match was forfeited, allowing Ross Smith to advance in the tournament.
Menzies’ Path to the Second Round
Before his withdrawal, Menzies had been enjoying a notable run at the World Matchplay. In the first round, he achieved what the outlet Nemzeti Sport described as perhaps the biggest victory of his career, defeating the world number two, Luke Humphries.
Menzies displayed significant composure during that opening match. After falling behind, he leveled the score at 3-3 and later went on a five-leg winning streak. Although Humphries narrowed the deficit to 8-7, Menzies maintained his focus to close out the match, securing the win with a 170 checkout. This performance contrasted with his previous reputation for struggling under pressure, marking a significant moment of consistency for the Scottish player.
Tournament Landscape and Quarter-Final Lineup
The withdrawal of Menzies reshapes the tournament bracket, with Ross Smith now set to face Gerwyn Price in the quarter-finals. Price earned his spot after a hard-fought comeback against Martin Schindler. Despite struggling with his finishing—missing 21 of his 30 attempts at double—the Welshman managed to force a tie-break and ultimately won 11-9.
Elsewhere in the draw, the competition remains intense. Gian van Veen secured his place in the final eight after a 14-12 victory over Wessel Nijman in a match that saw both players landing checkouts of over 100 points. He will face James Wade, who completed the quarter-final lineup with an 11-8 win over Ryan Searle. Wade, who previously won the World Matchplay in 2007, is now set for his 14th appearance in the tournament’s quarter-finals.
Looking Ahead to the Quarter-Finals
The progression of the tournament continues following the completion of the second-round matches. With the field now narrowed, the upcoming sessions will determine the semi-finalists.
- Ross Smith vs. Gerwyn Price
- Gian van Veen vs. James Wade
While the PDC has confirmed that Menzies is well enough to have returned to his accommodation, no further information regarding his immediate return to competition has been released. The status of Luke Humphries, who was eliminated by Menzies in the first round, remains a point of interest for the rankings; the outlet noted that Humphries could potentially lose his position as the world number two if Gian van Veen advances to the tournament final.
