Luke Humphries set up a semi-final clash with Gerwyn Price at the Grand Slam of Darts with a 16-8 victory over Michael Smith in Wolverhampton.
It is Humphries’ third semi-final in this major as he looks to claim it for a second time, while 2022 Grand Slam champion Smith’s return from injury has come to an end after a valiant display.
Humphries was in the zone and made it count early on in the clash, sweeping up the first four legs before Smith managed to stop the rot by taking out D10 to bring the score to 4-1.
The second session went entirely with the throw to see the world No 1 move 7-3 in front, ‘Bully Boy’ stepping things up but Humphries continuing to play beautifully.
Michael Smith and Luke Humphries both have attempts at nine-darters during their Grand Slam of Darts match.
Michael Smith and Luke Humphries miss a crazy amount of doubles as the pair face-off in their Grand Slam of Darts quarter-final match.
The two former Grand Slam champions then took things up a notch and sent Wolverhampton wild as they both got themselves on nine-dart attempts, Smith then adding T20 and T19 before narrowly missing D12, ‘Cool Hand’ missing his seventh dart at T20.
That leg gave Smith the world of confidence and with it he took the initiative to claim four legs on the bounce, two breaks of throw and a ridiculously poor leg from both on the doubles bringing things level at 7-7.
However, just when he needed a big moment, Humphries found a sublime 138 checkout against the throw to stop the St Helens man taking the lead.
Luke Humphries takes out huge 138 checkout in a stunning response to Michael Smith’s fightback in their clash at the Grand Slam of Darts.
That took the wind out of Smith’s sails and allowed Humphries to put his foot on the gas to move 12-7 in front with five legs in his favour, Smith halting the slide once again to close at 12-8.
That was the last leg Smith took, though, as Humphries just tuned out the noise and picked up the four remaining legs he needed.
“I got involved in that 180, 180, 180, 180! I was thinking of you [Wayne Mardle],” Humphries told Sky Sports afterwards, talking about the nine-dart moment.
Luke Humphries reflects on his quarter-final Grand Slam of Darts win over Michael Smith and discusses the moment he and Smith both missed chances at a nine-darter.
“As soon as Michael missed that D12, I said to him ‘this is my chance to do what you did (in the World Championship final against Michael van Gerwen in 2023)!’
“I think it affected me for a few legs! I let my guard down a bit.
“I missed D1 a lot. But a solid performance apart from that.”
Price shows composure to beat Evans and book semi spot
Highlights of the Grand Slam of Darts match between Gerwyn Price and Ricky Evans.
Gerwyn Price booked his spot in the semi-finals with a comprehensive 16-9 victory over Ricky Evans.
Every time Price has made the semi-finals of the tournament, he has gone on to win – in 2018, 2019, and 2021 – and the Welshman will hope that is the case again as he chases his fourth Grand Slam title.
Price came out firing as he rattled off the first four legs, Evans’ doubling really causing him trouble before he managed to avoid the whitewash in the first session with a break of throw.
Gerwyn Price roars at the crowd after a D2 checkout against Ricky Evans at the Grand Slam of Darts.
Evans upped his average to over 108 in the second session to get himself back into the contest with a couple of holds of throw, but Price then took his moment for a break of throw to move 7-3 ahead, letting out his signature roar.
‘Rapid Ricky’ would just not give up and found a break of throw to bring the scoreline to 9-6, battling away despite Price being the superior player and hitting a 116 checkout on his way to 12-8.
But a big break of throw, two holds, and a 101 checkout on tops sealed the victory.
Gerwyn Price reflects on his quarter-final win over Ricky Evans in the Grand Slam of Darts and joked about giving stick back to the crowd during his victory.
“It’s mad how everyone plays their best game against me! Twice Ricky played well in this tournament and it’s twice against me,” Price told Sky Sports.
“I didn’t play at my top game, but I played really good tonight.
“I was quite calm apart from halfway through. I saw Ricky getting them [the crowd] up but I was like ‘I’m giving that back, I have to!’
“I love Ricky, he’s a great player, he’s in some great form. He’s been fantastic over the last couple of months.
“I’m coming back to my best. I’m not there yet.”
What’s coming up on Saturday?
Saturday sees the quarter-final action come to a close at the Grand Slam with Luke Littler taking on Josh Rock and Lukas Wenig up against Danny Noppert.
Saturday November 15 1900 (Sky Sports + and Sky Sports Main Event)
Quarter-Finals (best of 31 legs)
Lukas Wenig vs Danny Noppert
Luke Littler vs Josh Rock
Who will win the Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts? Watch live throughout the week from 7pm on Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Main Event. Stream darts and more top sport with NOW
