Dramatic moments in the Grand Slam of Darts quarter-finals
Luke Humphries was left taken aback after Michael Smith twice cut his own forehead with his darts during a bruising Grand Slam of Darts quarter-final in Wolverhampton on Friday night, reports BritPanorama.
The unusual scenes unfolded as Smith battled to stay in the match, only for his mounting frustration to lead him into a habit that literally drew blood. Humphries spotted the injury mid-match and was heard asking Smith, “What happened to your head?” after noticing a red streak forming near his hairline.
Smith had been tapping the sharp point of his dart against his forehead while contemplating his next move, and the repeated motion eventually left a visible scratch. By the time the pair embraced at the end of the contest, a second trickle of blood had appeared. Commentator Dan Dawson explained the cause live on Sky Sports: “Michael Smith, when he is frustrated, when he is worried, when he is trying to figure things out on the dartboard, he will take the point of his dart and he scratches his forehead. He has done that so much he has drawn blood.”
These cuts added an unexpected layer of drama to a match that had already swung sharply in momentum. Smith initially fell behind but roared back to level at 7-7 in the race to 16 legs, briefly threatening to turn the contest on its head. He came agonisingly close to a nine-darter in the eleventh leg, narrowly missing double 12 to the disappointment of the Wolverhampton crowd.
Despite the intensity, Humphries rediscovered his rhythm, winning nine of the next ten legs to seal a commanding 16-8 victory. It was an impressive showing from the 2023 champion, especially considering he suffered a back spasm earlier in the week, struggling even to lift his head from the pillow on Wednesday morning.
The world No 1 averaged 105, breaking throw in the opening leg and going into the first interval 4-1 ahead with a 105.13 average, significantly higher than Smith’s average. Despite the cuts and frustrations, both players shared smiles and encouraged one another, showcasing the competitive spirit of the sport.
Smith displayed flashes of his old form, fighting through a difficult run of injuries. After leveling the match at 7-7, he missed a critical bull for a 164 checkout. However, Humphries struck a brilliant 138 to reassert control, ultimately sealing the match on double nine with calm composure.
Humphries now advances to Sunday’s semi-finals, where he will face Gerwyn Price. Meanwhile, defending champion Luke Littler remains in contention, poised to battle Josh Rock on Saturday night. The unfolding drama of the Grand Slam of Darts continues to captivate, reminding fans how the game’s pressure can lead to both triumphs and unexpected moments.
