Luke Humphries produced one of the most astonishing comebacks in BoyleSports World Grand Prix history to kick off his title defence on Monday, as Rob Cross denied Luke Littler on a thrilling opening night in Leicester.
Day One of the double-start showpiece began with eight first round clashes at the Mattioli Arena, as reigning champion Humphries battled back from the brink to topple Stephen Bunting.
Two-time semi-finalist Bunting made a blistering start to the contest, winning the first five legs to leave Humphries staring down the barrel.
Nevertheless, after the St Helens star missed one dart at double 16 for a whitewash win, Humphries came roaring back with a three-leg blitz of his own to level the contest at one set apiece.
The world number one then powered to victory in the closing stages, winning three of the last four legs to complete a remarkable fightback.
“These are the games you live for,” said Humphries, who will play Ricardo Pietreczko for a place in the quarter-finals.
“Stephen was very unlucky there. He was the better player overall, but I never gave in, and that is a true champion’s attitude.
“As soon as I won the first leg, I knew the opportunity was there, and I worked incredibly hard to get myself back into the game.”
However, while Humphries survived his scare, tournament favourite Littler was beaten on his double-start debut by a clinical Cross, who converted eight of his ten attempts at a finishing double to come through a high-quality affair.
Cross is yet to advance beyond the second round in seven previous World Grand Prix appearances, but he turned on the style against the teenage sensation, who crashed in six 180s in defeat.
“My record in this tournament isn’t great, so I’m delighted to get over that winning line,” reflected Cross, who wrapped up victory with an 88 finish on the bull.
“I struggled in the first set, but then I started to find my rhythm and I felt very solid on my own throw, which gives me confidence for the next few days.”
2022 runner-up Nathan Aspinall marked his big stage return with a 2-1 victory over Ryan Searle, after coming through a last-leg epic at the Mattioli Arena.
Aspinall – who had been sidelined with a wrist injury – defied a stirring fightback from Searle to prevail in a thrilling final set, sealing his progress with a 12-dart break in the decider.
“I’m just so happy to win after everything I’ve been through over the last few months,” claimed Aspinall, making his first televised appearance since July.
“I had a very tough game against Ryan tonight and that last set proved it, but I’m really happy with the way I performed.”
Ross Smith produced the performance of Monday’s opening night in his straight-sets demolition of Gian van Veen, averaging 101.79 to cap off an outstanding display.
Van Veen’s solitary leg came courtesy of a 170 checkout, but Smith was undeterred, sweeping aside the Dutch debutant to set up a second round showdown against Jonny Clayton.
2021 champion Clayton was also one of Monday’s stand-out performers, kicking off his bid for a second double-start title with victory over Ritchie Edhouse.
Clayton converted 130 and 102 checkouts to clinch the opening set with a 102 average, before fending off a spirited rally from Edhouse to make a winning start on his return to the East Midlands.
Martin Schindler – a quarter-finalist in 2023 – opened his challenge with a 2-0 victory over 2011 runner-up Brendan Dolan, landing three 180s and converting six of his 12 attempts at a finishing double.
Schindler was joined in the last 16 by his compatriot Pietreczko, who accounted for two-time finalist Raymond van Barneveld in a third and decisive set.
Van Barneveld squandered four darts to win the opening set, and although he recovered to level the contest, Pietreczko stormed to set three without reply to triumph on his double-start bow.
Elsewhere, Ryan Joyce progressed in straight sets on his first World Grand Prix appearance since 2020, winning five straight legs to overcome Josh Rock in the tournament’s curtain-raiser.
The first round action will draw to a close on Tuesday, as six-time champion Michael van Gerwen begins his title challenge against 2017 champion Daryl Gurney.
Michael Smith and Gary Anderson go head-to-head in a blockbuster tie, while former winners James Wade and Gerwyn Price also headline, as they face Peter Wright and Danny Noppert respectively.
The BoyleSports World Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK, through the PDC’s worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV (excluding UK, Germany, Austria & Switzerland based subscribers).
2024 BoyleSports World Grand Prix
Schedule of Play
Monday October 7
8x First Round matches
Ryan Joyce 2-0 Josh Rock (3-2, 3-0)
Martin Schindler 2-0 Brendan Dolan (3-0, 3-2)
Jonny Clayton 2-0 Ritchie Edhouse (3-1, 3-2)
Nathan Aspinall 2-1 Ryan Searle (3-1, 0-3, 3-2)
Ricardo Pietreczko 2-1 Raymond van Barneveld (3-2, 2-3, 3-0)
Luke Humphries 2-1 Stephen Bunting (0-3, 3-2, 3-1)
Rob Cross 2-1 Luke Littler (3-2, 2-3, 3-1)
Ross Smith 2-0 Gian van Veen (3-0, 3-1)
Tuesday October 8 (1800 BST)
8x First Round matches
Dave Chisnall v Cameron Menzies
Luke Woodhouse v Dimitri Van den Bergh
Mike De Decker v Damon Heta
Peter Wright v James Wade
Gerwyn Price v Danny Noppert
Michael Smith v Gary Anderson
Michael van Gerwen v Daryl Gurney
Chris Dobey v Joe Cullen
——ENDS—–
Images: Simon O’Connor/PDC
