World Grand Prix Darts: Luke Humphries and James Wade storm into quarter-finals as Gary Anderson eliminated | Darts News
Luke Humphries put in a much-improved display as his doubling prowess and a 10-dart finish secured a 3-0 rout of Jermaine Wattimena and a spot in the World Grand Prix quarter-finals.
There were 3-1 victories for James Wade and Niels Zonneveld over Stephen Bunting and Gary Anderson, while Gian Van Veen came through a deciding-set cracker with Ryan Searle to triumph 3-2.
Humphries – the title favourite after defending champion Luke Littler’s shock defeat to Luke Woodhouse on the opening night – had averaged only 80 and gone at 26 per cent on his closing doubles in a scruffy 2-0 win over Dave Chisnall on Tuesday evening.
Two nights later, the 2023 champion and 2024 and 2025 runner-up averaged 94.11 and secured a finishing-double percentage of 64, although his starting-double percentage of 74 was the most eye-catching stat as he peppered double 16 early in legs.
Humphries will take on Niels Zonneveld in Friday’s quarter-finals
‘Cool Hand’ – who will face Wattimena’s fellow Dutchman Zonneveld in the last eight on Friday – hit his 10-darter at the start of the third set, while Wattimena twice hit the wrong double in the opening set.
Humphries said afterwards: “I’ve got a good chance of winning this. At the moment I’m a bit up and down, but if I can put that right I’m going to be tough to beat.
“It wasn’t the best performance, but it was a good performance. It was a lot better than it was on Tuesday.
“I think I got in every time with my first three darts. When you’re doing stuff like that, it’s going to take a top performance to beat you.”
Wade: Double start is ‘hellish’
Wade, meanwhile, delivered a starting masterclass to reach his eighth World Grand Prix quarter-final, hitting an opening shot of 160 five times during his 3-1 win over Bunting.
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James Wade regularly started legs with 160s against Stephen Bunting
The sixth seed dropped his standards in the third set but was electric in the other three as he set up a meeting with Van Veen.
Wade said: “I am so grateful as it is so hard to win with a double start. We can play it cool and pretend to be relaxed but it is awful, it is hellish, really hard work.
“I don’t feel anywhere near my best but I am having to play better against better players. I have loads more gears to go – but talk is cheap.
“And I am full of cheap talk!”
Van Veen wins thriller to secure Wade showdown
Elsewhere, Searle – who landed a 167 checkout, the highest of the week – threw for the match against Van Veen after breaking the Dutchman with a finish of 100 in the fourth set, only to be broken straightaway in the deciding leg.
Van Veen, who had led 2-0 in the penultimate set before being pegged back to 2-2, then blitzed the final set 3-0.
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Ryan Searle pinned a brilliant 167 finish on the bull during his defeat to Gian van Veen at Mattioli Arena
The third seed said: “When I was 2-1 down in sets, I was like, ‘oh no, this is not how I want to go out’.
“As good as double 16 went for me in the first round, it kind of bothered me today. But at the end it really came good.
“I was quite happy with my scoring, but just missed a couple of darts at a crucial time. Luckily I got the job done.”
Anderson tumbles out as Zonneveld’s run continues
Van Veen’s compatriot Zonneveld followed his opening-round win over Josh Rock by dumping out Anderson, starting by winning a first set in which every leg went against the throw.
Anderson made a terrible start to the match, hitting single one and then suffering two bounce-outs, while he was the victim of another bounce-out in the third set as he aimed for a leg-winning bullseye.
Zonneveld subsequently broke before closing out victory in the next leg.
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Gary Anderson sees the humorous side as he misses a double, followed by two bounce-outs, on his first three darts
The 28-year-old said: “Especially in this tournament, it is one of the biggest things in my whole career.
“I have achieved many things Pro Tour-wise and Euro Tour-wise but not on the main stage, just once at the World Series Finals. I have become a dad so less sleep and all that but I feel in rhythm again.”
Thursday’s second-round results
- Niels Zonneveld 3-1 Gary Anderson
- James Wade 3-1 Stephen Bunting
- Luke Humphries 3-0 Jermaine Wattimena
- Gian van Veen 3-2 Ryan Searle
Friday’s quarter-final fixtures
From 7pm; first to three sets
- Nathan Aspinall vs Ryan Joyce
- Gerwyn Price vs Jonny Clayton
- Luke Humphries vs Niels Zonneveld
- Gian van Veen vs James Wade
Watch the World Grand Prix quarter-finals live on Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Main Event from 7pm on Friday. There is live coverage of the tournament every day up to and including Sunday’s final. Latest Sky Sports deals or stream with no contract with NOW.
