World No. 1 Luke Humphries advanced in the World Grand Prix, successfully defending his title with a 3-1 victory over Germany’s Ricardo Pietreczko in the second round on Wednesday. Following his impressive performance, Humphries solidifies his status as a tournament favorite after Luke Littler’s early exit.
Humphries, 29, is set to face Jonny Clayton in the quarter-finals on Friday, after Clayton defeated Ross Smith by the same scoreline.
Wednesday’s World Grand Prix Results
| Nathan Aspinall | 2-3 | Ryan Joyce |
| Rob Cross | 3-1 | Martin Schindler |
| Luke Humphries | 3-1 | Ricardo Pietreczko |
| Jonny Clayton | 3-1 | Ross Smith |
Humphries praised his opponent’s performance, stating, “Ricardo played a fantastic game of darts.” With an average of 92 and three 180s, he managed to secure his place in the quarter-finals while acknowledging the pivotal importance of his final darts in the third set.
Humphries took the lead in the first set, winning all three legs, but Pietreczko responded strongly, breaking Humphries in the second set. A crucial 112 checkout allowed Humphries to regain dominance going into the third set, where a brilliant 130 checkout marked a decisive moment in the match.
Aspinall Loses Thrilling Encounter to Joyce
Nathan Aspinall experienced a nail-biting defeat against Ryan Joyce, losing 3-2 in a deciding leg match. The two players exchanged wins in the initial sets, with Joyce securing a break early on in the third set, eventually clinching victory despite a strong challenge from Aspinall.
Cross Reaches Quarter-Finals for First Time
Former world champion Rob Cross reached the quarter-finals of the World Grand Prix for the first time after defeating Martin Schindler 3-1. After a shaky period, Cross regained his composure, winning crucial legs to advance.
Clayton Overcomes Smith
Jonny Clayton, the 2021 champion, fought back against Ross Smith, who started strong with impressive checkouts. Clayton’s resilience secured his spot in the quarter-finals, reflecting his notable form this season.
Upcoming Matches at the World Grand Prix
Daryl Gurney, fresh from a major upset against Michael van Gerwen, faces Joe Cullen, who also advanced following a comeback victory. Gary Anderson will clash with Mike De Decker, while Gerwyn Price competes against James Wade, and Dave Chisnall takes on Dimitri Van den Bergh.
Thursday’s World Grand Prix Fixtures
| Gary Anderson | vs | Mike De Decker |
| Gerwyn Price | vs | James Wade |
| Daryl Gurney | vs | Joe Cullen |
| Dave Chisnall | vs | Dimitri Van den Bergh |
