The first round was completed at the Boylesports World Grand Prix, and 2023 winner Luke Humphries was among the winners, with ‘Cool Hand’ taking a 2-0 win against Dave Chisnall in his opening match in Leicester.
Humphries, installed as the new bookmakers’ favourite after Luke Littler’s departure on Monday evening, was far from his best at Mattioli Arena, but still had too much for Chisnall as he completed a routine win.
“It was arguably one of my worst performances on the World Grand Prix stage,” said Humphries.
“I didn’t feel comfortable throughout the whole game, and I felt like Dave wasn’t at his best there.
“When I won the title the first time, I had games where I didn’t really play very well, but I made the final and I played really well, so I don’t care how I win, as long as I do!”
The other former champion on show was two-time winner James Wade, and he showed all of his battling qualities to come from a set down to sink Joe Cullen.
Gary Anderson was another to recover from a set adrift, restoring parity with a 115 finish after Heta missed a match dart at double five, and he dominated set three to safely make the last 16.
Gian van Veen is another strong contender for the title, and he began with a 2-0 win against Dirk van Duijvenbide in a Dutch Derby.
van Duijvenbode was slow out of the blocks, going a set down, and although he sparked into life, van Veen took out a crucial 69 finish to end matters, and secured a last 16 spot.
The only upset of the evening saw Niels Zonneveld knock out seventh seed Josh Rock in a 2-1 success.
The Dutchman looked well placed for a 2-0 win, but Rock levelled with a sublime 151 checkout, only for Zonneveld to regroup and find three ton-plus finishes in the deciding set to put the seal on an impressive victory.
Stephen Bunting will meet James Wade in round two, as the former PDC Master controlled the final set against Andrew Gilding to record a 2-1 win.
Jermaine Wattimena opened the evening’s action, and he replaced Chris Dobey in 16th spot in the Order of Merit with a 2-0 win in their meeting.
Ryan Searle got the better of William O’Connor in a final leg, with Searle surviving four match darts from the Irishman, who won more legs than his opponent and also averaged six points more.
2026 BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix
Tuesday September 29
Round One
Jermaine Wattimena 2-0 Chris Dobey (3-1, 3-2)
Ryan Searle 2-1 William O’Connor (3-2, 0-3, 3-2)
Niels Zonneveld 2-1 Josh Rock (3-1, 2-3, 3-1)
James Wade 2-1 Joe Cullen (1-3, 3-1, 3-1)
Gary Anderson 2-1 Damon Heta (1-3, 3-1, 3-0)
Gian van Veen 2-0 Dirk van Duijvenbode (3-0, 3-2)
Luke Humphries 2-0 Dave Chisnall (3-1, 3-1)
Stephen Bunting 2-1 Andrew Gilding (3-1, 1-3, 3-1)
Wednesday September 30 (1900 BST)
Round Two
Danny Noppert v Ryan Joyce
Jonny Clayton v Wessel Nijman
Gerwyn Price v Ross Smith
Luke Woodhouse v Nathan Aspinall
Best of Five Sets
Thursday October 1 (1900 BST)
Round Two
Niels Zonneveld v Gary Anderson
James Wade v Stephen Bunting
Luke Humphries v Jermaine Wattimena
Gian van Veen v Ryan Searle
Best of Five Sets
–ENDS–
