DEBUTANT Niels Zonneveld, Luke Humphries and James Wade produced dominant displays to book their places in the last eight of the BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix, while Gian van Veen also progressed on a decisive Thursday night at the Mattioli Arena.
The 2023 champion Humphries was in ruthless form against Jermaine Wattimena. ‘Cool Hand’ hit 74% of his double-in attempts and missed just five darts at double all night, whitewashing the Dutchman 3-0 to reach a fourth successive World Grand Prix quarter-final.
He had to survive a couple of set darts in the opener but took control thereafter and remains unbeaten in sets at this year’s event after his first-round dismissal of Dave Chisnall.
“I was a lot better tonight than I was on Tuesday,” Humphries said.
“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.”
The World number two will meet Zonneveld in the quarters after the Dutchman continued his remarkable debut run by seeing off former finalist Gary Anderson 3-1.
A nervy opening set saw all five legs go against the throw before Zonneveld averaged over 102 in the second and held firm against a late Anderson rally.
“I think it’s one of the biggest things I’ve achieved in my whole career,” Zonneveld beamed.
“I have done many things on the ProTour and European Tour stage, but not in the major tournaments. Gary Anderson is an awesome player, so I’m really happy with this win. I felt really confident. I’m coming back into form and I’ve played really well over the last couple of weeks.”
Wade made it look straightforward against Stephen Bunting, averaging north of 98 in each of his three winning sets on the way to a 3-1 success and an eighth World Grand Prix quarter-final appearance.
The two-time champion raced into a 2-0 lead, eased off briefly, then finished the job with an imperious three-leg burst.
“I just felt it was down to timing and hitting the right shots at the right time,” Wade reflected.
“I’m just really grateful to win. It’s so, so tough to win in double-start. It’s really hard work! I’m nowhere near my best, but I’m having to play better against better players. I’ve got loads more gears to go, but talk is cheap, and I’m full of cheap talk!”
Wade’s reward is a meeting with Van Veen, who came from 2-1 down to edge Ryan Searle 3-2 in a tense battle. The Dutch number one landed a 152 checkout en route to the first set and closed out the match with four straight legs.
“It means the world to me,” said Van Veen, now into a sixth Premier event quarter-final of 2026.
“In the last two years I’ve played really well here, but I lost my first game. This year I didn’t play quite as well but maybe that’s the secret to winning! I love this tournament because it’s different.
“I think doubling is one of the best aspects of my game and I think it showed tonight in the crucial moments. This is why this tournament gives me so much confidence, and hopefully I can go further!
“James is always a tough opponent but I’m going to be up for it. I played him last time at the World Matchplay and hopefully it’s the same result tomorrow!”
All eight remaining players return on Friday for a full night of quarter-final action at the Mattioli Arena.
The BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix is being 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).
Click here for match stats & results.
2026 BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix Darts
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)
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)
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Images: Kieran Cleeves/PDC
