Dirk van Duijvenbode knocked out top seed Luke Humphries on Day Two at the Hungarian Darts Trophy, as Gary Anderson delivered a virtuoso performance in Budapest.
Van Duijvenbode ended his nine-match losing run against Humphries to book his place at Finals Day at the MVM Dome, maintaining his resurgent form in the process.
The World Matchplay semi-finalist rattled off four consecutive legs from 3-2 adrift to cap off a classy display, averaging 98 and conjuring up a spectacular 140 checkout in the closing stages of the contest.
“Luke is a phenomenal player, but I think I’m okay as well,” quipped Van Duijvenbode – a three-time runner-up on the European Tour circuit.
“I’m happier in life at the moment. I’ve had a lot of struggles, but I feel better, life is better and I’m getting better now hopefully.”
Van Duijvenbode will now go head-to-head with Rob Cross on Finals Day, after the former World Champion landed a 130 checkout to deny Luke Woodhouse in a compelling last-leg shoot-out.
Gian van Veen and Michael van Gerwen also advanced on a bumper day of round two action at the MVM Dome, courtesy of victories over Nandor Major and James Hurrell respectively.Van Veen pinned 67% of his attempts at double and converted a sublime 167 finish to whitewash Major, while Van Gerwen overturned a 3-1 deficit in sealing a comeback win against Hurrell.
Scottish icon Anderson marked his return to big stage action in style, averaging 105.27 in his 6-2 thumping of Krzysztof Ratajski – halting the Pole’s bid for back-to-back European Tour titles.
Ross Smith also registered a ton-plus average to dispatch William O’Connor by the same scoreline, and his reward is a tie with Jonny Clayton, who ran out a 6-3 winner against Hungary’s Laszlo Kadar.Nathan Aspinall opened his title challenge with a battling 6-4 win against Ryan Joyce, landing five 180s to set up a blockbuster showdown against Van Gerwen for a place in the last eight.
Elsewhere, 2023 champion Dave Chisnall boosted his hopes of World Grand Prix qualification with a statement 6-2 victory over Wessel Nijman in the Hungarian capital, aided by a 100.47 average.
However, reigning champion Niko Springer saw his title defence derailed by Ryan Searle, who recorded a 6-4 success in a quick-fire contest that lasted just 14 minutes.
Searle will take on last year’s runner-up Danny Noppert for a place in the quarter-finals, with the Dutchman defeating former European Champion Ritchie Edhouse 6-4 in his opening round tie.
Stephen Bunting will lock horns with Anderson in another intriguing tussle, after the Liverpudlian began his campaign with a comprehensive 6-1 win at the expense of Finland’s Jonas Masalin.
Chris Dobey launched a terrific fightback from 4-0 down to deny Tom Sykes in a decider, and his next assignment will be a tussle against sixth seed Josh Rock, who whitewashed a struggling Joe Cullen in the evening’s finale.
Jermaine Wattimena overcame Andrew Gilding in a hard-fought affair to earn a showdown against Van Veen, while Keane Barry swept aside Madars Razma to reach the last 16 of a European Tour event for the first time since April 2023.
The 2026 Hungarian Darts Trophy reaches its climax with Finals Day in Budapest on Sunday, as the remaining 16 players compete for the £35,000 top prize at the MVM Dome.
Images: Gabor Kiss/PDC Europe
