Luke Humphries delivered a markedly stronger performance in the World Grand Prix, showcasing his exceptional finishing skills and a flawless 10‑dart leg that propelled him to a decisive 3‑0 victory over Jermaine Wattimena and earned him a place in the tournament's quarter‑finals. The match highlighted Humphries' resurgence after a modest showing earlier in the week, where he struggled with his doubles and posted a modest average of 80 in a 2‑0 win against Dave Chisnall. In stark contrast, his recent display saw him average 94.11 and convert 64% of his finishing doubles, with an eye‑catching 74% success rate on opening doubles, particularly targeting double 16 early in each leg. The Dutchman Wattimena, despite his reputation, faltered twice by selecting the wrong double in the opening set, giving Humphries a clear edge.
Humphries, often dubbed "Cool Hand" for his composure under pressure, capped his dominant performance with a perfect 10‑dart finish at the start of the third set, underscoring his sharpness and confidence. After the match, he reflected on his form, saying, "I have a solid chance of winning this. I'm a bit up and down at the moment, but if I can steady that, I’ll be very tough to beat. It wasn’t my best performance, but it was a clear improvement over Tuesday.
I felt I was hitting my first three darts consistently, and when you’re doing that, you need a top‑level performance to beat you." Humphries' next opponent will be fellow Dutch player Niels Zonneveld, who also advanced with a 3‑1 win over Gary Anderson. Zonneveld's victory was notable for his aggressive start, breaking Anderson early and maintaining pressure throughout the match. Meanwhile, James Wade secured his eighth World Grand Prix quarter‑final berth with a 3‑1 triumph over Stephen Bunting, displaying a masterclass in opening play by hitting a 160 finish five times in the first set.
Wade, the sixth seed, admitted the double‑start format is "hellish" and demanding, yet expressed gratitude for his progress: "I’m grateful because it’s so hard to win with a double start. We can all try to look relaxed, but it’s a grueling challenge. I don’t feel I’m at my best yet, but I have to raise my game against stronger opponents. I have many gears to shift – talk is cheap, and I’m full of cheap talk!" In another thrilling encounter, Gian Van Veen edged out Ryan Searle in a nail‑biting 3‑2 win after a dramatic deciding set.
Searle had earlier hit the highest checkout of the week—a 167—and seemed poised to dominate after breaking Van Veen with a 100 finish in the fourth set. However, Van Veen responded immediately, breaking back and eventually sweeping the final set 3‑0.
Van Veen admitted the pressure of being down 2‑1 in sets, saying, "When I was 2‑1 down, I thought, ‘oh no, this isn’t how I want to go out.’ Double 16 served me well in the first round, but it bothered me today. In the end, it worked out. I was pleased with my scoring, though I missed a couple of crucial darts. Fortunately, I got the job done." Zonneveld, fresh from a victory over Josh Rock, continued his impressive run by eliminating Anderson with a clean 3‑1 win.
Anderson struggled from the outset, hitting a single one and suffering two bounce‑outs, then another bounce‑out while aiming for a match‑winning bullseye in the fourth set. Zonneveld capitalised on these errors, breaking Anderson before sealing the match in the following leg. Reflecting on his progress, the 28‑year‑old Dutchman said, "This tournament is one of the biggest moments of my career.
I’ve achieved a lot on the Pro Tour and Euro Tour, but not on the main stage, except for a single appearance at the World Series Finals. I’m now a dad, so sleep is scarce, but I feel back in rhythm." Overall, the quarter‑final lineup now features a blend of seasoned veterans and rising talents, each bringing distinct strengths to the double‑start format. Humphries, with his renewed confidence and clinical finishing, looks poised to challenge for the title. Wade’s experience and ability to produce high‑scoring openings make him a formidable opponent, while Zonneveld and Van Veen have shown resilience and the capacity to seize momentum in tight moments.
The quarter‑finals will be contested from 7 p.m., with matches played as best‑of‑five sets (first to three). Fans can catch the live action on Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Main Event, with comprehensive coverage continuing through to the final on Sunday. For those seeking an optimal viewing experience, using the Chrome browser is recommended to access the most accessible video player.