Luke Humphries escaped the sting of several missed double finishes to dispatch a sub‑par Dave Chisnall and secure a place in the second round of the World Grand Prix in Leicester. Humphries, who has reached the final of this tournament three years running – lifting the trophy in 2023 and finishing runner‑up twice since – now stands as the leading contender after defending champion Luke Littler suffered an unexpected loss to Luke Woodhouse on opening night. The "Cool Hand" showed a noticeable scar on his forehead, which he blamed on an allergic reaction, yet it did not hinder his performance.
He out‑classed Chisnall 2‑0 while posting an average of just 80.41 and converting only 26 % of his doubles. The victory sets up a second‑round clash with Jermaine Wattimena, the player who eliminated Chris Dobey earlier in the day. Chisnall had a fleeting opportunity to break Humphries’ rhythm and force a deciding set, but he squandered his chance by busting his score. Humphries then sealed the match by hitting double four and, in a moment of quiet confidence, appeared to hush a vocal spectator.
The evening also saw two seeded players tumble. Chris Dobey, one of the tournament’s top seeds, was knocked out alongside Josh Rock, who fell to Dutch newcomer Niels Zonneveld. Zonneveld impressed with three separate three‑dart scores exceeding 100 in the third set, earning a place in the last‑16 against Gary Anderson.
Rock, who at one stage attempted a daring 101 finish (bull‑eye, 1, bull‑eye), had sparked excitement by following a 180 with a towering 151 to level the match and force a decider against Zonneveld. Despite the fireworks, Rock could not sustain the momentum and was eliminated.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Meanwhile, Dobey endured his third consecutive first‑round exit. The former world number one, nicknamed "Hollywood," had a bright start, breaking Wattimena’s opening leg with four perfect darts, but his average slipped below 80 and he struggled to hit the required starting double in subsequent legs. His only flash of brilliance was a dazzling 128 checkout at the beginning of the second set, but he ultimately lost 2‑0. James Wade, a veteran of the circuit, rallied from a set down and overcame six missed match darts spread over two visits to defeat Joe Cullen 2‑1.
Wade’s win keeps his quest for a third World Grand Prix title alive and marks his first triumph at the event in 16 years. A pivotal moment arrived in the fourth leg of the second set when Wade hit the bull for an 81 finish, just as Cullen was poised to break and move into a winning position. Wade hesitated briefly, then missed double top and double 10 in the third leg of the deciding set before finally clinching victory with a clean double 10. Wade’s next opponent will be Stephen Bunting, who edged past Andrew Gilding 2‑1 in the final match of the round.
The night also delivered further disappointment for Damon Heta, who suffered his sixth straight first‑round defeat – the Australian has yet to record a win at this venue. Heta surrendered a one‑set lead and missed a match dart at double five in the second set against Gary Anderson. Anderson, the 2016 runner‑up to Michael van Gerwen, dominated the third set 3‑0, posting an impressive 110 average. Gian van Veen earned his first victory on this stage by beating fellow Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode in straight sets, after early exits in 2024 and 2025 (to Ross Smith and Luke Littler respectively).
Van Duijvenbode, after a disastrous start that saw him lose the first five legs, finally found his scoring touch but missed two attempts at double 16, forcing a deciding leg. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Van Veen will meet Ryan Searle next, while "Heavy Metal" Ryan Searle punished William O'Connor for four missed match darts, clinching the final three legs after having lost the preceding five. O'Connor’s run had been electric after dropping the first set; he hit a 95 checkout with consecutive double 19s, but the Irishman – appearing at this tournament for the first time in over a decade – eventually lost his way.
From 7 pm; first to three sets Watch day three of the World Grand Prix live on Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Main Event from 7 pm on Wednesday, with daily coverage continuing through to the final on Sunday. For the latest Sky Sports offers, or to stream without a contract, visit NOW.