Luke Humphries delivered a markedly stronger performance in the World Grand Prix, using his double‑throw accuracy and a flawless 10‑dart leg to dispatch Jermaine Wattimena 3‑0 and earn a place in the quarter‑finals. The Englishman, who entered the event as a leading contender after defending champion Luke Littler suffered an early upset at the hands of Luke Woodhouse, had previously struggled with his finishing, posting an average of just 80 and converting only 26% of his doubles in a modest 2‑0 victory over Dave Chisnall on Tuesday.
Two nights later, however, the 2023 champion and back‑to‑back runner‑up in 2024 and 2025 turned his form around dramatically. He posted a 94.11 three‑dart average and hit a remarkable 64% of his finishing doubles, while his opening‑double conversion rate of 74% stood out as a key statistic, as he repeatedly targeted double 16 early in each leg. Humphries, affectionately nicknamed "Cool Hand," will now face fellow Dutchman Niels Zonneveld, Wattimena’s compatriot, in the last eight on Friday.
His 10‑dart perfect leg came at the start of the third set, and Wattimena himself faltered twice by selecting the wrong double in the opening set. After the match, Humphries reflected on his showing: "I have a solid chance of winning this tournament. I’ve been a little inconsistent lately, but if I can smooth that out I’ll be a very tough opponent.
It wasn’t my best performance overall, but it was certainly a big improvement on Tuesday. I felt I was hitting my first three darts consistently, and when you’re doing that, it takes a top‑class effort to beat you." James Wade also impressed, delivering a dominant start that propelled him into his eighth World Grand Prix quarter‑final.
He opened his match against Stephen Bunting with a 160 finish five times, showcasing his scoring power. Despite a dip in the third set, Wade rebounded strongly in the remaining sets to set up a clash with Gian Van Veen. "I’m extremely grateful because winning with a double‑start format is incredibly tough," Wade said.
"We can all pretend to be relaxed, but it’s actually hellish and requires massive effort. I don’t feel I’m at my absolute best, yet I have to raise my game against stronger opponents.
I have plenty of gear left – talk is cheap, and I’m full of cheap talk!" In another quarter‑final, Ryan Searle produced the highest checkout of the week—a 167 finish—before falling to Van Veen in a tight 3‑2 encounter. Searle broke Van Veen’s throw with a 100 checkout in the fourth set, but the Dutchman immediately responded by breaking back in the deciding leg. Van Veen, who had led 2‑0 in the penultimate set before being pegged back to 2‑2, then surged ahead to claim the final set 3‑0.
Reflecting on his performance, Van Veen admitted, "When I was down 2‑1 in sets I thought, ‘No, this isn’t how I want to go out.’ Double 16 served me well early on, but it bothered me later. In the end it worked out. I was pleased with my scoring, though I missed a few crucial darts. Fortunately I got the job done." Niels Zonneveld continued his impressive run, following a first‑round victory over Josh Rock with a straight‑sets win over Gary Anderson.
Zonneveld opened the match by taking a set where every leg went against the throw, putting Anderson under immediate pressure. Anderson’s start was disastrous: he hit a single one, suffered two bounce‑outs, and later missed a bullseye for the leg, resulting in another bounce‑out in the fourth set.
Zonneveld capitalised, breaking Anderson before sealing the match in the following leg. The 28‑year‑old Dutchman spoke about the significance of the tournament: "This event is one of the biggest moments of my career. I’ve achieved a lot on the Pro Tour and Euro Tour, but I’ve only had a single main‑stage appearance at the World Series Finals. Becoming a dad has meant less sleep, but I feel back in rhythm now." The quarter‑finals will be contested from 7 p.m., with matches played as best‑of‑five sets (first to three).
Fans can watch the action live on Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Main Event, with daily coverage continuing through to the final on Sunday. For those seeking a smoother viewing experience, a Chrome browser is recommended for the video player. The tournament promises high‑stakes drama as the remaining eight competitors vie for the coveted title, each hoping to combine precise double‑start execution with high scoring power to outlast their opponents.