Luke Humphries produced a commanding performance to secure his place in the World Grand Prix quarter-finals, routing Jermaine Wattimena 3-0. The 2023 champion, now the tournament favorite following Luke Littler’s opening-night exit to Luke Woodhouse, showcased exceptional precision with a 10-dart finish and a starting-double efficiency rate of 74 percent.
After averaging only 80 with a 26 percent double-success rate in his earlier win over Dave Chisnall, Humphries elevated his game significantly. Averaging 94.11 and converting 64 percent of his finishing doubles, he dismantled Wattimena, who struggled to hit the correct doubles in the opening set. Humphries will face fellow Dutchman Niels Zonneveld in Friday’s last-eight clash.
“I’ve got a good chance of winning this,” Humphries said. “It was a lot better than it was on Tuesday. I think I got in every time with my first three darts. When you’re doing stuff like that, it’s going to take a top performance to beat you.”
James Wade also progressed to the quarter-finals, defeating Stephen Bunting 3-1 to reach the round for the eighth time at the World Grand Prix. The sixth seed delivered a stunning display of opening shots, hitting a 160 finish five times. Wade, who is set to play Gian Van Veen, admitted the pressure of doubling on throw remains a challenge.
“It is hellish, really hard work,” Wade said. “I don’t feel anywhere near my best but I am having to play better against better players. I have loads more gears to go.”
In a thrilling encounter, Gian Van Veen came from behind to defeat Ryan Searle 3-2. Searle, who recorded the tournament’s highest checkout of 167, appeared to be on the verge of victory after breaking Van Veen in the fourth set, only to lose the momentum immediately in the deciding leg. Van Veen, who had led 2-0 in the penultimate set before leveling at 2-2, closed out the final set 3-0.
Meanwhile, former champion Gary Anderson was eliminated after falling 3-1 to Zonneveld. Anderson endured a difficult start, missing a single one and suffering two bounce-outs in the first set. He was undone again in the third set when he missed a bullseye required to win the leg. Zonneveld broke Anderson and sealed the victory in the subsequent leg.
The quarter-final lineup is now complete. On Friday, Nathan Aspinall will face Ryan Joyce, while Gerwyn Price takes on Jonny Clayton. The remaining matches feature Humphries against Zonneveld and Van Veen against Wade. Sky Sports will broadcast the quarter-finals live from 7pm on Friday, with coverage continuing through to the final on Sunday.
I missed the broadcast again! Can someone tell me when Humphries plays Zonneveld? I want to tune in.
Van Veen fighting back from 2-0 down to beat Searle was the match of the night for me. Drama!
Wade saying it is hellish really highlights how mental this game is. Glad he advanced anyway.
Gary Anderson out already? Shocking. He missed that bullseye at the worst possible moment.
Humphries looks like a serious contender now. That average against Wattimena was frighteningly good.