A deadly Luke Humphries cruised into the World Matchplay semi-finals on Thursday after sending Dimitri Van den Bergh through to set up a meeting with James Wade.
The world champion averaged 101.21, including a spectacular 164, en route to a 16-10 victory over ‘The Dream Maker’.
He will next face 2007 champion Wade on Saturday after ‘The Machine’ booked his place in the semi-finals for the first time in nine years with a fine win over Ross Smith by the same scoreline.
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Luke Humphries and Dimitri Van den Bergh did their best Cole Palmer impersonations as the world champion imitated the Belgian on stage at the Winter Gardens
The world number one started quickly, breaking Van den Bergh in the first round and then coming back to lead 3-0 thanks to four maximums.
Van den Bergh – who beat Humphries in the UK Open final in March – then scored his first point against the darts before coming back into the first half trailing just 3-2.
The Belgian – the World Matchplay champion behind closed doors in Milton Keynes in 2020 – then levelled the match after the restart as Humphries failed to take 46, which Van den Bergh then finished on to go ahead for the first time at 4-3.
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Humphries hit that huge target in his win over Van den Bergh
Humphries stopped the rot to hold his next shot, and there was little left between the two as the world champion took an 8-7 lead into the mid-session break.
A 115 checkout followed by another dart grab from Van den Bergh saw Humphries take an 11-8 lead, only for the Belgian to reduce the deficit further heading into the next period.
Humphries, however, then stepped up a gear, with a superb final 164 to win five consecutive legs and emulate Van den Bergh’s ‘chicken celebration’ to complete a 16-10 victory and advance to the World Matchplay semi-finals for the second year running.
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Humphries said he felt unwell despite his win over Van den Bergh as the pair traded mind games
“After the first five innings I felt deflated and tired, which can happen in random games – I just didn’t feel the real Luke Humphries up there tonight,” Humphries said on Sky Sports.
“But I told myself, ‘Stick to it, work hard and don’t let your mind play games with you.’
“I worked incredibly hard in the last session to get across the line, and I put in a superb performance in the closing stages.”
Wade’s Vintage Display
Former champion James Wade puts on a vintage display to beat Ross Smith
Wade produced a scintillating performance, averaging 100.30 and scoring 13.180s to reach a ninth World Matchplay semi-final.
An underdog heading into the encounter, Wade was a favourite for most of the game with his trademark finishing under pressure preventing ‘Smudger’ from making a comeback.
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Wade says there’s still plenty to come after beating Smith
“I feel really good after that,” Wade said. “I enjoyed the game, it was a great game and I’m just glad I played a little bit better than Ross did that night.
“He played very well at the beginning, I felt like I had drawn him into a fight and then I took charge.
“My score was good, but I played much better in training, so it’s not something that surprises me.
“I thought I could have played better at times and I know I can play a lot better than that.”
Smith flew out of the traps, averaging 114 in the first five innings to take a 3-2 lead.
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Take a look at some of Wade’s best moments from his quarter-final victory…
Wade hit checkouts of 120 and 121 to take a 6-4 lead, before hitting his third ton-plus finish of the match to lead 8-5.
After Wade missed four darts for a 10-5 cushion, Smith took advantage with a clinical 107 finish to reduce the deficit to 9-6.
Wade then kicked for home, winning three of the next four ends to take a 12-7 lead before Smith took 107 for the second time to stay in touch.
Smith continued to fight, hitting a magnificent 161 checkout to stay in contention at 13-10, but that proved to be his last leg as Wade connected a trio of legs to seal the win.
What’s happening at the World Matchplay on Friday?
Michael van Gerwen returns to action at Winter Gardens on Friday
The Betfred World Matchplay 2024 continues at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool, with the final two quarter-finals on Friday 19 July on Sky Sports Action from 8pm and Sky Sports Main Event from 9pm. Get instant access to World Matchplay for £26 with NOW.
Three-time champion Michael van Gerwen continues his title challenge against Andrew Gilding in the quarter-finals, in a repeat of their memorable 2023 UK Open decider, while Rob Cross faces a fascinating quarter-final showdown against Michael Smith.
This iconic summer tournament sees 32 of the world’s biggest stars battle it out over nine days to win the Phil Taylor Trophy and £800,000 in prize money.
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