Day three of the World Series of Darts Finals delivered incredible drama, highlighted by Dirk van Duijvenbode’s stunning comeback victory over world number two Luke Humphries, fueled by an emotional celebration with his young son. Meanwhile, teenage sensation Luke Littler narrowly survived a tense battle despite struggling with his finishing, setting up a thrilling ‘Finals Day’ in Amsterdam. Dutch talent Gian van Veen also impressed, ensuring a home player in the semi-finals.
Van Duijvenbode’s Family-Fueled Triumph Over Humphries
In what was arguably the match of the day, Dutch favourite Dirk van Duijvenbode, a 2022 runner-up, pulled off a remarkable 10-9 victory against the formidable Luke Humphries. Humphries, the world number two, seemed destined for the win, leading 8-6 in the closing stages. However, Van Duijvenbode ignited the AFAS Live crowd with a stunning rally, firing in eight maximums and maintaining an impressive average of over 101 to force a deciding leg.
The emotional climax saw **Van Duijvenbode retrieve his young son, Levi, from the crowd to celebrate on stage**, a moment that clearly meant the world to him. Post-match, he credited his family’s presence for his success: “Having my kid here is the best thing in my life… I won this game because he was here. When you are playing against the world number two you are always nervous. When I looked up at him he made me so happy every time. It made me so relaxed. In the end that is the reason I won it.”
Dutch Delight: Gian van Veen Advances
Van Duijvenbode wasn’t the only Dutchman to shine. Gian van Veen also delivered a top-tier performance, overcoming Karel Sedlacek 10-7. Sedlacek played exceptionally, averaging over 103, but Van Veen matched him with a 101.52 average, showcasing his class with spectacular finishes of 160 and 147. This win sets up an all-Dutch quarter-final clash against his compatriot, Dirk van Duijvenbode.
Van Veen expressed his anticipation: “Karel played a phenomenal game today, but luckily I found a way to win… It was a really tricky game. At the back end I was scoring a little bit better on his throw, and that’s how I got the job done. **I’m looking forward to playing Dirk** because I’m playing him in the World Grand Prix, so it would be nice to get a taste of that game!”
Littler’s Great Escape: A Nerves-Wracking Win
Teenage sensation Luke Littler once again found himself in a nail-biting encounter, narrowly defeating Nathan Aspinall 10-9 in the final match of Saturday’s second round. Despite **missing a staggering 22 darts at double** throughout the match, ‘The Nuke’ produced a moment of pure magic when it mattered most – leaving 58 after nine darts and sealing the win with a crucial 12-dart leg.
Aspinall proved to be a formidable opponent, taking a 5-3 lead and later finding himself on the brink of victory at 9-8. However, Littler, known for his unflappable composure, mounted a trademark recovery. “Nathan pushed me all the way tonight… I didn’t feel confident in the first two sessions, but I managed to make it 6-6 and I was very good in the final session,” Littler commented, acknowledging the tough challenge. He now faces a tough test against Jonny Clayton.
Other Key Victories and Quarter-Final Lineup
The day also saw other top players secure their spots in the quarter-finals:
- Jonny Clayton, the 2021 champion, survived a major scare, battling back from a 6-4 deficit to defeat Japanese trailblazer Motomu Sakai 10-8.
- Gerwyn Price continued his pursuit of a third World Series of Darts Finals crown with a resounding 10-5 win over Canadian veteran Jim Long, averaging almost 98.
- James Wade faced the daunting task of defeating Wessel Nijman in front of a passionate Dutch crowd. ‘The Machine’ delivered, averaging over 101 and hitting 63% of his doubles for a 10-7 victory.
- Josh Rock landed three 100+ checkouts to overcome Ryan Searle 10-7, moving one win away from the semi-finals.
- Ross Smith needed a late surge to conquer Daryl Gurney 10-5, capping an impressive display with a 100.30 average and 63% on doubles.
The stage is now set for an exhilarating ‘Finals Day’ on Sunday, September 20, where a new champion will be crowned. The quarter-final matchups promise intense darting action:
Sunday, September 20 – Quarter-Finals
- Ross Smith vs. Josh Rock
- Dirk van Duijvenbode vs. Gian van Veen (Guaranteed Dutchman in the Semi-Finals!)
- Gerwyn Price vs. James Wade
- Luke Littler vs. Jonny Clayton (A highly anticipated clash!)
The winners will proceed to the semi-finals and ultimately battle for the prestigious £100,000 top prize in the evening session.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
