THREE-Time PDC Major winner Luke Humphries moved through to his maiden World Darts Championship Semi Final on New Year’s Day after beating World Number 11 Dave Chisnall 5-1 in the Quarter Finals.
“I’ve been a three-time quarterfinalist [at this event], so I really wanted to make the next step tonight. It was important for my confidence to put in a big performance tonight, and playing like that gives me the belief that I can go all the way now.”
The Red Dragon player produced his best darts of the tournament so far in beating the 3 Time Euro Tour winner, averaging 103.50 and including 12 180s at the Alexandra Palace.
The Englishman came through one of the games of the tournament in the Last 16, clinching a sudden death deciding leg to beat former Masters Champion Joe Cullen 4-3 in the last match before New Year’s Eve.
Humphries started on the front foot in the final Quarter Final of New Year’s Day, instantly breaking the Chizzy throw in the 2nd leg with an 85 checkout. The reigning Grand Slam Champion finished 81 to break and win the first set before hitting a 164 checkout in the 2nd set.
Chisnall won set 2 in a last leg decider but from then on it was one way traffic in North London, with the 28-year-old breaking throw again with an 81 finish to retake the lead in the Quarter Final.
Dave surrendered a 2-0 lead to allow Luke to win the 4th set, before hitting double 14 to checkout 121 in the 5th set with his opponent waiting to return on 92 to make it 3-2. The Red Dragon player was within a set of his first Semi Final at the Alexandra Palace, showcasing the form that has seen him win the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts, and the Players Championship Finals already this year.
The World Number 3 took the 6th set without reply from Chisnall, breaking the 3 Time 2023 Euro Tour winner twice including the final leg. Luke finished 117 for the match on double tops to secure a guaranteed £100,000, moving through to face another first time Semi Finalist in Scott Williams, who beat tournament favourite Michael van Gerwen 5-3 earlier in the night.
“The draw has been blown wide open, and it’s a massive opportunity for all four of us now, it’s exciting. If I can play like I did tonight, then I stand a great chance of becoming World Champion.”
Cool Hand Luke has grown into the 2024 Paddy Power World Darts Championship, showcasing why he has won 3 PDC Major titles this year in the 2nd Round. From being so close to exiting against German Darts Championship winner Ricardo Pietreczko, he produced darts that Pikachu could not deal with under huge amounts of pressure, recovering from 3-1 down to win 4-3 in the Last 32.
Rob Cross produced a stunning display to fight back from 4-0 down and beat Masters Champion Chris Dobey in the afternoon session. Voltage will face Luke Littler in the Semi Finals, with the 16-year-old averaging 101.93 in beating Brendan Dolan 5-1 in the other Quarter Final.
The 2024 Paddy Power World Darts Championship Semi Finals will start from 7:30pm with Luke Littler facing Rob Cross first, before tournament favourite Luke Humphries goes in search of a place in a first Ally Pally Final against Scott Williams.
2024 Paddy Power World Darts Championship: Day 14 Results
Quarter Finals:
Rob Cross (8) 5-4 Chris Dobey (17)
Luke Littler 5-1 Brendan Dolan (28)
Scott Williams 5-3 Michael van Gerwen (2)
Luke Humphries (3) 5-1 Dave Chisnall (11)
2024 Paddy Power World Darts Championship: Day 15 Order of Play
Semi Finals:
Rob Cross (8) v Luke Littler
Scott Williams v Luke Humphries (3)
—–ENDS—–
Images: Taylor Lanning/PDC
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