The BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix got underway at Mattioli Arena in Leicester, and Luke Humphries began his quest for a second Grand Prix crown with straight sets win against Nathan Aspinall.
The unique double-start tournament, a staple of the PDC calendar since 1998, has always thrown up early upsets and drama, with Phil Taylor’s demise to the likes of Andy Callaby and Adrian Gray springing to mind, but there were few shocks on the first night of action.
2023 Champion Humphries was the star attraction on opening night, and he got the better of an entertaining encounter with Aspinall, with the World number one’s starting doubles catching the eye.
Aspinall took out 170 during the first set, but it was to no avail, as Humphries took the lead with a 15-darter in the last leg.
The second set was a more straightforward one for Humphries, as he opened it with a 156 checkout, and closed with a 13-darter to make the second round in the East Midlands.
Cool Hand will face Krzysztof Ratajski in round two, as the Pole was equally impressive as he came through 2-0 against Martin Schindler.
Performance of the evening was saved for the final match, as Stephen Bunting averaged over 97 in a 2-0 success against the dangerous Niko Springer, who had made a late dash to qualify by winning the Hungarian Darts Trophy last month.
Bunting finished 130 in the first set, and largely dominated to ease to victory in a contest that many expected to be closer.
Danny Noppert survived a match dart against Jermaine Wattimena in an all-Dutch clash, and he also recovered from losing the first four legs of the contest, with a 158 checkout completing the comeback for ‘The Freeze’ as he booked a clash with Bunting.
Joe Cullen ended the hopes of 2007 and 2010 winner James Wade, as he took a 2-0 win against ‘The Machine’.
Cullen breezed to a whitewash first set, and then took set two in a final leg to advance to the last 16. Cullen will face Gary Anderson in round two, as the Scot edged a thriller against Raymond van Barneveld in a match that went all the way.
Anderson began in fine style, taking the first set with three straight legs and a 115 included, but van Barneveld battled back, taking the match to the third set, only to be denied by Anderson at the last.
The darting action on the night was kicked off by Rob Cross, and he had to go the distance to make round two at the expense of Wessel Nijman.
Cross took out 135 in the opening set, but was pegged back to a deciding leg, where a 70 finish secured a one-set advantage. Nijman levelled in another set that went the distance, but finishes of 88 and then 70 in a final leg where he dodged a Nijman dart at bull for victory saw ‘Voltage’ home.
Cameron Menzies was a 2-0 victor on the night, and he took full advantage of a below-par display from Chris Dobey to take his second round place.
The action continues on Tuesday evening, with World Champion Luke Littler, and defending World Grand Prix Champion Mike De Decker both in action.
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Images: PDC / Simon O’Connor
