Cameron Menzies delivered a stunning surprise on Monday night at the World Matchplay, toppling the 2024 champion and world number two, Luke Humphries, by a 10-7 margin. The Scottish player, known for his flamboyant and unpredictable style, faced the highly‑rated Englishman in a match that quickly turned into a showcase of high‑pressure darts and dramatic finishes.
From the outset, Menzies signalled his intent. He opened the first leg with a flawless double‑double 129 checkout, taking an early 1-0 lead.
Humphries, however, responded with a remarkable six‑dart streak, including a dazzling 167 checkout that leveled the score after the opening interval. The momentum swung back and forth, but the Scot soon found a rhythm, stringing together four consecutive legs to surge ahead to 7-3. Humphries attempted a comeback, clawing back five of the next six legs, yet Menzies remained composed. The decisive moment arrived when Menzies executed a perfect 170 checkout – the highest possible finish in darts – to seal his victory and send shockwaves through the Empress Ballroom.
The crowd erupted as the Scottish player celebrated his first win on the historic Winter Gardens stage, a venue revered by darts enthusiasts worldwide. In the post‑match interview, a visibly elated Menzies admitted he had not given himself much hope entering the contest. "No one gave me hope, I didn’t give myself hope, but finally I won a game at the Winter Gardens," he said. He praised Humphries, calling him a "great guy and a great player," and reflected on the nerves that threatened to undermine his performance when he was ahead 7-3.
"I was trying not to think about the finishing line, but the nerves kicked in. To beat Humphries, I know he will be disappointed.
He gave me a lot of stress at doubles, but that’s my biggest win," Menzies added. Wayne Mardle, providing commentary for Sky Sports, highlighted the significance of the win. "It’s his best ever win, and he mentioned that," Mardle noted. He praised Menzies for handling the emotional roller‑coaster of the match – from being broken back early to regaining control and ultimately prevailing.
"Nothing went according to plan. He was broken back early twice, that’s up‑and‑down emotions. Then he went on a run and got pegged back.
There was a lot happening, but he held it all together beautifully," Mardle observed. The victory propels Menzies into a second‑round clash with fellow Scotsman Ross Smith. Smith himself had survived a tough opening match, overcoming debutant Kevin Doets despite a modest 104.19 average, and finishing with a clutch 120 checkout to advance.
In a later encounter, Smith displayed his own resilience, surviving a 161 checkout from his opponent before clinching the win with a spectacular 120 Shanghai finish. Other notable results from the night included former World Matchplay finalist Gerwyn Price escaping a near‑defeat against Germany’s top‑ranked Martin Schindler. After falling behind 4-0 and 6-2, Price rallied to win 11-9, crediting the crowd’s energy for his comeback.
"Without the crowd, I would have lost today," he confessed, describing the match as the worst of his season yet acknowledging his perseverance. Price’s next opponent will be Rob Cross, following a dominant 10-3 victory by "Voltage" over Danny Noppert, where Cross averaged 97.41 and finished with a 128 checkout, converting more than half of his doubles.
The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay continues at the iconic Winter Gardens from July 18‑26, featuring a 32‑player field battling for the coveted Phil Taylor Trophy. Highlights of the upcoming schedule include two‑time world champion Luke Littler taking on Nathan Aspinall after a convincing 10-6 opening‑day win, and Stephen Bunting facing Josh Rock after a nail‑biting 13-12 triumph over debutant Niels Zonneveld. Dutch darts legend Michael van Gerwen will meet compatriot Dirk van Duijvenbode, while 2018 champion Gary Anderson is set to clash with 2023 runner‑up Jonny Clayton after Anderson recorded an average of 109.96 in a 10-2 demolition of Ryan Joyce – the eighth‑highest average in World Matchplay history.
Fans can follow every dart thrown via Sky Sports, NOW streaming, and the Sky Sports WhatsApp channel for live updates, highlights, and expert analysis. The tournament promises more upsets, high‑checkouts, and dramatic finishes as the world’s best compete for one of darts’ most prestigious titles.