World number one Luke Humphries advanced to the quarter-finals of the World Grand Prix held in Leicester. He secured a 3-1 victory over Krzysztof Ratajski. At 30 years old, Humphries is the reigning champion and was the runner-up in the previous year.
Performance Highlights
Humphries made strategic adjustments during the match, which significantly improved his performance. He achieved six 180s and recorded an average of 95.58 during this ‘double in, double out’ tournament.
After the first half, he noted, “I went off at the break and said to myself ‘you must be doing something different.’” Adjusting his throw style helped him regain focus and hit the necessary trebles.
Match Outcomes
- Luke Humphries defeated Krzysztof Ratajski: 3-1
- Danny Noppert eliminated fourth seed Stephen Bunting: 3-1
- Gary Anderson overpowered Joe Cullen: 3-0
- Cameron Menzies triumphed over Rob Cross: 3-1
In his match, Anderson expressed concerns about Joe Cullen’s performance, noting Cullen only averaged 68.05 and won just one leg. Anderson remarked, “Joe was miles off tonight. My scoring came on at the end.” He acknowledged the increasing difficulty of advancing in this tournament.
Upcoming Matches
The tournament continues with more exciting matches scheduled for Thursday. Notable matchups include:
- Dirk van Duijvenbode vs. Daryl Gurney
- Jonny Clayton vs. Luke Woodhouse
- Luke Littler vs. Mike de Decker
- Gerwyn Price vs. Josh Rock
As reigning champion, Mike de Decker will face Luke Littler in a highly anticipated match. The competition promises thrilling darts as players vie for the coveted title at the World Grand Prix.
