With 38 minutes of video, we look back at the night’s match which saw Humphries recover from a 10-7 deficit to beat Van Duijvenbode, surviving a match dart at double 16 to keep his hopes alive for his first senior televised title.
Van Duijvenbode took advantage of Humphries’ early difficulties on the outer ring to lead 8–5, throwing out checkouts of 132 and 147 to bring himself close to a place in the last eight. Humphries threw a 120 finish on tops and fired in an 11-dart finish to cut the deficit to 9-7, but Van Duijvenbode answered with a stunning 10-dart finish to move closer to victory.
The drama continued as Humphries produced a series of important finishes to equalize at 10-10, winning three legs in a row and surviving a match dart in leg 20. The Dutchman responded with a brilliant 170 finish to retake the lead, but after following a 12-dart leg with a crucial 88 finish, Humphries threw double 19 to complete the comeback.
“I’m so proud of myself,” revealed world number six Humphries, the highest-ranked player still in the tournament. I struggled throughout that match. I felt really lethargic, but I dug deep, and that’s what champions do. I’m not saying I’m a champion, but sometimes you have to get through these really tough games when you’re not at your best, and I hope I can do much better on Friday.”
Unfortunately we also lost our southern neighbor Dimitri van den Bergh who made it to Waterloo with 11-6 against Jonny Clayton, unfortunately we no longer have any Dutch or Belgians in the battle for the Phil Taylor trophy in Blackpool.
Results
Damon Heta 11-1 Brendan Dolan
Jonny Clayton 11-6 Dimitri Van den Bergh
Ryan Searle 11-8 Peter Wright
Luke Humphries 14-12 Dirk van Duivenbode
