World Grand Prix quarter-finals: Humphries finds his range as Welsh rivals collide
The World Grand Prix has reached the quarter-finals, and after four nights of double-start chaos, the draw is beginning to take shape.
Early Big Casualties in MvG and Littler
Defending champion Luke Littler and six-time winner Michael van Gerwen were among the headline casualties earlier in the week, while Thursday night brought another major exit as Gary Anderson was dumped out by Niels Zonneveld.
The Dutch debutant continued his impressive run with a 3-1 victory over Anderson, having already beaten Josh Rock in round one. He now faces one of the tournament’s biggest tests against Luke Humphries.
Humphries the New Favourite
Humphries looked far sharper in his 3-0 demolition of Jermaine Wattimena. The 2023 champion averaged 94.11, hit 74% of his starting doubles and converted 64% of his finishing doubles, a huge improvement on his scrappy opening-round win over Dave Chisnall. A 10-dart leg underlined just how dangerous he can be when the format clicks.
James Wade also delivered a reminder of why this tournament suits him. The two-time World Grand Prix champion beat Stephen Bunting 3-1, repeatedly opening legs with 160 and booking an eighth quarter-final appearance at the event. He now meets Gian van Veen, who survived the match of the night against Ryan Searle.
Van Veen edged a five-set thriller 3-2 after Searle had briefly taken control with a brilliant 167 checkout. The Dutchman responded by sweeping the deciding set 3-0.
Friday’s most intriguing tie, though, may come from Wales.
Gerwyn Price faces Jonny Clayton with both national bragging rights and a semi-final place on the line. Price, the 2020 champion, has looked ruthless so far, while 2021 winner Clayton has also navigated his route into the last eight. The pair are World Cup team-mates, but there will be no room for sentiment in Leicester.
The quarter-finals begin at 7pm UK time tonight, Friday, October 2nd, with all four matches played over a best-of-five-set format.
Quarter-final fixtures:
Nathan Aspinall vs Ryan Joyce
Gerwyn Price vs Jonny Clayton
Luke Humphries vs Niels Zonneveld
Gian van Veen vs James Wade
With Littler, Van Gerwen and Anderson already gone, the path to Sunday’s £150,000 title is looking increasingly unpredictable.
