Luke Humphries was runner-up in last year’s tournament
World number one Luke Humphries has advanced to the quarter-finals of the World Grand Prix in Leicester, securing a comfortable 3-1 victory over Krzysztof Ratajski.
Humphries, 30, the 2023 champion and last year’s runner-up, reached the last eight after a mid-match adjustment, hitting six 180s and averaging 95.58 in the ‘double in, double out’ format tournament.
He commented: “I went off at the break and told myself, ‘you must change something because you don’t usually play like this.’
“So, I slowed my throw down, and I started hitting the trebles. On the practice board, I am hitting everything, but not when I go out there, so I needed to adjust.”
Fourth seed Stephen Bunting was eliminated by 2021 semi-finalist Danny Noppert, while two-time world champion Gary Anderson easily defeated Joe Cullen.
Cullen averaged only 68.05 and won just a single leg.
Anderson told Sky Sports: “Joe was way off tonight; his start cost him.
“My scoring improved at the end. It’s been a while since I’ve gone far in this tournament, and it’s getting more difficult for me.
“Darts is a joy, but I still want to win.”
Reigning champion Mike de Decker will compete against Luke Littler on Thursday.
Wednesday’s World Grand Prix results:
Cameron Menzies 3-1 Rob Cross
Danny Noppert 3-1 Stephen Bunting
Luke Humphries 3-1 Krzysztof Ratajski
Joe Cullen 0-3 Gary Anderson
Thursday’s matches:
Dirk van Duijvenbode v Daryl Gurney
Jonny Clayton v Luke Woodhouse
Luke Littler v Mike de Decker
Gerwyn Price v Josh Rock
Darts’ World Grand Prix: Format, results and prize money