Luke Humphries was not punished for a series of missed doubles in the final as he beat a lowly Dave Chisnall to reach the second round of the World Grand Prix in Leicester.
Humphries – who has made the last three finals in the event, winning in 2023 ahead of two runners-up since then – is the new favorite to triumph this year after defending champion Luke Littler’s shock loss to Luke Woodhouse on the opening night.
Cool Hand, with scabies on his forehead causing an allergic reaction, beat Chisnall 2-0 while averaging just 80.41 and hitting 26 per cent in doubles as he secured a second-round meeting with Chris Dobey’s conqueror Jermaine Wattimena.
Chisnall had a chance to break Humphries and push for a deciding set only to break his lead, before the world No 2 wrapped up the win at doubles four and then looked to hide someone in the crowd.
Dobey was one of two seeds to fall on Tuesday night, along with Josh Rock, who fell to Niels Zonneveld as the Dutch debutant managed three more tons in the third set to book a last 16 date with Gary Anderson.
Rock – who at one point attempted an audacious bullseye, one, bullseye 101 finish – had lit up proceedings by following up a 180 with a roof-raising 151 to break Zonneveld and secure a deciding set.
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Josh Rock produced six brilliant darts to win the second set against Niels Zonneveld before losing in the decider
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The Rock took a unique route as he attempted a chest of 101, leaving Sky Sports’ Wayne Mardle with plenty to say!
Meanwhile, Dobey suffered a first-round exit for the third straight year.
‘Hollywood’ – who burned four darts to break Wattimena in the opening game – averaged below 80 and really struggled to score the mandatory opening double, with a thrilling 128 finish at the start of the second set, his only moment of magic after trailing 2-0.
Wade advances, but more Grand Prix misery for Heta
James Wade fought back from a set down and shrugged off a six-match losing streak in the space of two visits to beat Joe Cullen 2-1 as he resumed his bid for a third Grand Prix title and first in 16 years.
A key moment came in the fourth game of the second set when Wade hit the bullpen for an 81 finish, just as Cullen was eyeing a break that would let him shoot for victory.
Wade was upset before getting over the line, squandering double top darts and double 10 in the third set of the deciding set before pinning double 10 in the next to advance.
James Wade won the World Grand Prix in 2007 and 2010
Wade’s reward is a clash with Stephen Bunting, who beat Andrew Gilding 2-1 in the final match of the round.
There was further disappointment at the Grand Prix for Damon Heta as he suffered a sixth straight first-round defeat – the Australian has never won a match here – after blowing a one-set lead and losing a match arrow at five deuces in the second set against Anderson.
Anderson, runner-up in 2016 to Michael van Gerwen, won the third set 3-0 while averaging 110.
Gian van Veen saw off Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode in straight sets for his first win on this stage after first-round exits in 2024 and 2025 to Ross Smith and Littler respectively.
However, Van Duijvenbode missed two attempts in doubles 16 to set up a decider as he belatedly found his scoring form after a poor performance as he dropped the first five games.
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William O’Connor took 95 with two double 19s against Ryan Searle in their World Grand Prix clash
Van Veen will play Ryan Searle next after the ‘Heavy Metal’ punished four missed darts from William O’Connor to progress as he won the last three games of their encounter having lost the previous five.
O’Connor’s electric run after losing the first set included 95 with 19 doubles, but the Irishman – appearing in the event for the first time in more than a decade – then lost his way.
Tuesday’s first round results
- Chris Dobey 0-2 Jermaine Wattimena
- Ryan Searle 2-1 William O’Connor
- Josh Rock 1-2 Niels Zonneveld
- James Wade 2-1 Joe Cullen
- Gary Anderson 2-1 Damon Heta
- Gian van Veen 2-0 Dirk van Duijvenbode
- Luke Humphries 2-0 Dave Chisnall
- Stephen Bunting 2-1 Andrew Gilding
Wednesday’s second round matches
From 19:00; first up to three groups
- Danny Noppert vs. Ryan Joyce
- Jonny Clayton vs Wessel Nijman
- Gerwyn Price vs Ross Smith
- Luke Woodhouse vs Nathan Aspinall
Watch day three of the World Grand Prix live Sky Sports+ AND Sky Sports’ main event from 7pm on Wednesday with coverage every day up to and including the final on Sunday. The latest Sky Sports offers OR transmission without contract in TANI.
