Luke Humphries avoided any penalty for a series of missed finishing doubles by overcoming a sub‑par Dave Chisnall to secure his place in the second round of the World Grand Prix in Leicester. Humphries, who has reached the final of this tournament three times in a row—winning the 2023 edition and finishing runner‑up twice since—has now become the leading contender for the title after defending champion Luke Littler suffered a surprising loss to Luke Woodhouse on opening night. The player known as "Cool Hand," who sported a small scab on his forehead that he attributed to an allergic reaction, dispatched Chisnall in straight sets, 2‑0, despite posting a modest average of 80.41 and converting just 26% of his doubles. The victory sets up a second‑round clash with Jermaine Wattimena, who earlier eliminated Chris Dobey.
Chisnall briefly threatened to force a deciding set, but a mis‑thrown score allowed the world No. 2 to close out the match on double four.
After the win, Humphries appeared to hush a spectator in the audience, a brief moment that underscored his focus. Elsewhere on Tuesday evening, two seeded players fell early. Josh Rock, who had shown flashes of brilliance, was beaten by Dutch newcomer Niels Zonneveld. Zonneveld produced three finishes of 100 points or more in the third set, earning a place in the last‑16 where he will meet Gary Anderson.
Rock attempted a daring 101 checkout—bullseye, single 1, bullseye—before following a perfect 180 with a remarkable 151 to level the match and force a decider. Despite the high‑scoring fireworks, Rock could not sustain the momentum and ultimately lost. Chris Dobey also suffered a first‑round exit for the third consecutive year. His opponent, dubbed "Hollywood," burned four darts to claim the opening leg but struggled throughout, averaging below 80 and missing many required starting doubles.
His only highlight was a dazzling 128 checkout at the start of the second set, but he fell 2‑0. James Wade mounted a comeback after dropping the first set, shrugging off six missed match darts over two visits to defeat Joe Cullen 2‑1.
Wade, chasing his third Grand Prix crown and his first in 16 years, seized a crucial moment in the fourth leg of the second set by hitting the bull for an 81 finish, just as Cullen was poised to break his own throw and move toward victory. Wade hesitated briefly before finally sealing the leg, later missing double top and double 10 in the third leg of the deciding set, before finally clinching the win on double 10.
Wade’s triumph sets up a quarter‑final encounter with Stephen Bunting, who edged past Andrew Gilding 2‑1 in the final match of the round. The tournament also delivered disappointment for Damon Heta, who endured his sixth straight first‑round defeat—a record of never having won a match at this event.
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 secured his first win on this stage by beating fellow Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode in straight sets after previous first‑round exits in 2024 and 2025 to Ross Smith and Luke Littler respectively.
Van Duijvenbode, after a shaky start that saw him lose the first five legs, found his scoring rhythm late and missed two attempts at double 16, forcing a decider. Van Veen will now face Ryan Searle after "Heavy Metal" punished William O'Connor for four missed match darts, winning the final three legs after dropping the first five. O'Connor’s electrifying run included a 95 checkout with consecutive double 19s, but the Irishman—making his first appearance at this event in over a decade—could not maintain his form. The competition continues with matches played from 7 p.m., first to three sets.
Viewers can watch day three of the World Grand Prix live on Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Main Event from 7 p.m. on Wednesday, with daily coverage through to the final on Sunday. For those without a Sky subscription, the latest Sky Sports deals or a contract‑free streaming option on NOW are available.