The second round came to a close at the Boylesports World Grand Prix, and Luke Humphries powered into the quarter finals with a 3-0 win against Jermaine Wattimena in Leicester.
2023 champion Humphries opened with a laboured 2-0 win against Dave Chisnall in round one, but was at his brilliant best on the starting and finishing doubles at Mattioli Arena, winning the opening set with back-to-back checkouts of 129 and 88.
Humphries started a leg within three darts on every occasion, and wrapped up a routine win, ending with a 94.11 average.
“I was a lot better tonight than I was on Tuesday,” said Humphries.
“I think I got in every time – when you’re doing that it’s going to take a good performance to beat you.
“I don’t care how I win, but when you put in the performance I did on Tuesday, it’s disappointing and you want to put it right. I think I did that tonight.
“For myself, I needed that to think I’ve got a good chance of winning this, and I know I have.
“I feel like there’s still other levels in me, and hopefully I come back tomorrow with some more of that starting, but even better scoring.”
Two-time former winner James Wade is moving through the gears ominously, and ‘The Machine’ was too good for Stephen Bunting as he emerged a 3-1 winner.
Wade opened with a 160 score on no less than six occasions, and he defied five 180s and a 96.29 average from ‘The Bullet’, averaging 93.20 to clinch a quarter final spot, 20 years after his first last eight appearance against Dennis Priestley.
“I’m just really grateful to win. It’s so, so tough to win in double-start. It’s really hard work! said Wade.
“I’m nowhere near my best, but I’m having to play better against better players”.
Gian van Veen will oppose Wade in the quarter finals, and he was made to work by Ryan Searle, coming from 2-1 down to advance in a final set.
van Veen piled in six 180s, and a high finish of 152, with Searle posting a 167 finish to open set three, but it wasn’t enough as the Dutchman took victory.
Niels Zonneveld continued his dream debut Grand Prix campaign, as he controlled his tie against Gary Anderson to record a 3-1 win.
Zonneveld went 2-0 up only to be pegged back by the Scot, but a whitewash fourth set ensured Zonneveld a last eight place, where Luke Humphries will await.
The quarter finals take place on Friday.
2026 BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix
Thursday October 1
Round Two x4
Niels Zonneveld 3-1 Gary Anderson (3-2, 3-0, 1-3, 3-0)
James Wade 3-1 Stephen Bunting (3-1, 3-2, 0-3, 3-0)
Luke Humphries 3-0 Jermaine Wattimena (3-2, 3-1, 3-2)
Gian van Veen 3-2 Ryan Searle (3-1, 2-3, 1-3, 3-2, 3-0)
Best of Five Sets
Friday October 2 (1900 BST)
Quarter-Finals x4
Nathan Aspinall v Ryan Joyce
Gerwyn Price v Jonny Clayton
Gian van Veen v James Wade
Luke Humphries v Niels Zonneveld
Best of Five Sets
–ENDS–
