Luke Humphries nails nine-dart checkout to defeat Michael Smith
World number one Luke Humphries produced a sensational nine-dart checkout to beat Michael Smith at the Grand Slam of Darts, reports BritPanorama.
Leading 4-3 against the 2022 champion, Humphries followed a score of 177 with a maximum of 180, finishing with two treble 20s and a double 12.
Meanwhile, defending champion Luke Littler secured his place in the knockout phase with a comfortable 5-2 win over Connor Scutt, achieving a 105 average.
In the same session, Beau Greaves fell short in a closely contested match against former world champion Gary Anderson, despite pushing him to a 5-4 finish in Wolverhampton.
Germany’s Niko Springer progressed after a narrow 5-4 victory over van Gerwen. Additionally, Northern Ireland’s Daryl Gurney was eliminated by Karel Sedlacek, who missed 10 match darts before securing a decisive win.
Nathan Aspinall notched a victory over Alex Spellman with a 5-2 scoreline, whilst Martin Schindler edged out Stephen Bunting 5-4. Bunting’s defeat was sealed following Luke Woodhouse’s 5-2 triumph against Alexis Toylo in the final match of the night.
Reflecting on his performance, Humphries expressed surprise at his own ability to execute the winning shot, stating, “I absolutely have no idea where that came from at the end there to be honest.” He acknowledged a difficult start but felt a sense of ease during the final leg.
Anderson, upon defeating Greaves, praised her talent, confirming, “She’s brilliant, isn’t she.” He further noted her potential to disrupt the circuit in the future, underscoring the emerging competition in women’s darts.
The Grand Slam of Darts continues to showcase thrilling matches, revealing both the pressure and excitement inherent in the sport — a reminder that in darts, even small moments can carry immense significance.
