The BoyleSports World Grand Prix first round in Leicester concluded with a captivating mix of expected victories and dramatic upsets. Defending champion Luke Humphries, now the bookmakers’ favourite, advanced despite admitting to one of his “worst performances” on the Grand Prix stage. Two-time winner James Wade and veteran Gary Anderson also showcased their resilience, battling through tough encounters. The biggest shock of the evening saw underdog Niels Zonneveld triumph over seventh seed Josh Rock, setting the stage for an unpredictable Last 16. Get ready for more darts drama!
Humphries Survives, Declares Himself “Lucky”
As the dust settled on the first round of the BoyleSports World Grand Prix, the darts world watched defending champion Luke Humphries secure his passage to the Last 16. ‘Cool Hand’ defeated Dave Chisnall 2-0, a scoreline that belied the nature of the match. Humphries, who has been installed as the new tournament favourite following Luke Littler’s early exit, was candid about his performance.
“It was arguably one of my worst performances on the World Grand Prix stage,” Humphries admitted. “I didn’t feel comfortable throughout the whole game, and I felt like Dave wasn’t at his best either.” Despite his struggles, Humphries’ ability to win when not at his peak is a hallmark of a champion. “I don’t care how I win, as long as I do!” he declared, echoing his path to victory in previous tournaments.
Champions Fight Back: Wade and Anderson Show Grit
Experience proved crucial for other former champions on the night:
- Two-time winner James Wade demonstrated his legendary battling qualities. He came from a set down to sink Joe Cullen, refusing to be denied a spot in the next round.
- Veteran Scot Gary Anderson also staged a remarkable comeback. After losing the first set to Damon Heta, Anderson roared back, securing parity with a crucial 115 checkout after Heta missed a match dart. He then dominated the deciding set to comfortably make the Last 16.
Dutch Derby Dominance and a Shocking Upset
The night also featured a compelling “Dutch Derby” and the tournament’s biggest surprise:
- Rising star Gian van Veen asserted his contender status with a commanding 2-0 victory over fellow Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode. Van Veen capitalised on his opponent’s slow start and sealed the win with a vital 69 finish.
- The only major upset of the evening saw unseeded Niels Zonneveld knock out the highly-fancied seventh seed Josh Rock in a thrilling 2-1 contest. Zonneveld initially looked set for a straightforward 2-0 win, but Rock showcased his class with a sublime 151 checkout to level the match. Undeterred, Zonneveld regrouped magnificently, firing in three ton-plus finishes in the deciding set to secure an impressive and well-deserved victory.
Other Key Battles and Advancements
Several other players secured their spots in the Last 16 with hard-fought wins:
- Stephen Bunting controlled the final set against Andrew Gilding to record a 2-1 win. He is now set to face James Wade in an intriguing second-round clash.
- Jermaine Wattimena kicked off the evening’s action, securing a decisive 2-0 victory over Chris Dobey and replacing him in the Order of Merit’s 16th spot.
- In one of the night’s closest encounters, Ryan Searle overcame William O’Connor in a nail-biting final leg. Searle remarkably survived four match darts from the Irishman, who, despite winning more legs and boasting a six-point higher average, ultimately fell short.
The Last 16 is Set!
The field for the BoyleSports World Grand Prix Last 16 is now confirmed, promising more high-stakes darts action. Here are all the players advancing:
- Luke Humphries
- James Wade
- Gary Anderson
- Gian van Veen
- Niels Zonneveld
- Stephen Bunting
- Jermaine Wattimena
- Ryan Searle
- Danny Noppert
- Ryan Joyce
- Jonny Clayton
- Wessel Nijman
- Gerwyn Price
- Ross Smith
- Luke Woodhouse
- Nathan Aspinall
Upcoming Round Two Fixtures
The excitement continues with these compelling matchups in the second round (Best of Five Sets):
- Danny Noppert v Ryan Joyce
- Jonny Clayton v Wessel Nijman
- Gerwyn Price v Ross Smith
- Luke Woodhouse v Nathan Aspinall
- Niels Zonneveld v Gary Anderson
- James Wade v Stephen Bunting
- Luke Humphries v Jermaine Wattimena
- Gian van Veen v Ryan Searle
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
