Luke Humphries beat Michael Smith 16-8 in Wolverhampton to set up a showdown with Gerwyn Price in the Grand Slam of Darts semi-finals.
This will be Humphries’ third semi-final at a major tournament as he seeks his second title, while 2022 Grand Slam champion Smith’s brave performance marks his return from injury.
Humphries was in the zone and scored early in the match, sweeping the first four legs before Smith brought down D10 to stop the rot and bring the score to 4-1.
The second session was played entirely by pitching, with the world No. 1 leading 7-3, with ‘Bully Boy’ setting the tone, but Humphries continued to play beautifully.
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Michael Smith and Luke Humphries attempt a nine darter during the Grand Slam of Darts match.
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Michael Smith and Luke Humphries missed an astonishing amount of doubles as they faced off in the quarter-finals of the Grand Slam of Darts.
Both former Grand Slam champions then stepped up their game and sent Wolverhampton into a frenzy, with both attempting nine darts, Smith adding T20 and T19 before narrowly missing out on D12 and ‘Cool Hand’ missing his seventh dart in T20.
That leg gave Smith all the confidence with which he took the initiative and claimed four legs on the bounce, two throw breaks, and tremendous poor legs from both doubles to tie it 7-7.
But when the big moment was needed, Humphries made a brilliant 138 checkout against the throw to deny the St Helens man’s lead.
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Luke Humphries responded brilliantly to Michael Smith’s counterattack in their Grand Slam darts match, taking a huge 138 checkout.
This took the wind out of Smith’s sails, allowing Humphries to step on the gas and move ahead with five legs, 12-7, before Smith stopped the slide again to end the close contest at 12-8.
But that was the last leg Smith took, as Humphries muffled the noise and picked up the remaining four legs needed.
“I got caught up in that 180, 180, 180, 180! I was thinking about you (Wayne Mardle),” Humphries told Sky Sports afterwards, speaking of the nine-dart moment.
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Luke Humphries reflects on his quarter-final Grand Slam of Darts win over Michael Smith and talks about the moment he and Smith missed their chance with nine darts.
“As soon as Michael missed D12, I said to him, ‘Here’s your chance to do what you did (against Michael van Gerwen in the 2023 World Championship final)!’
“I think it affected a few of my legs! I was a little caught off guard.
“I missed D1 a lot, but other than that it was a solid performance.”
Price shows he has room to beat Evans and secure the runner-up spot.
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Highlights of the Grand Slam of Darts match between Gerwyn Price and Ricky Evans.
Gerwyn Price defeated Ricky Evans 16-9 to book his place in the semi-finals.
Price has won each time he has reached the semi-finals of the tournament in 2018, 2019 and 2021, and the Welshman will be hoping to do so again as he chases a fourth Grand Slam title.
Price fired while rattling his first four legs, but Evans’ double really bothered him before he managed to avoid a whitewash with a throw break in the first session.
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Gerwyn Price roars at the crowd after a D2 checkout with Ricky Evans during the Darts Grand Slam.
Evans improved his average to over 108 in the second session and returned to the game with a few held pitches, but Price seized the moment of a break in pitching to take a 7-3 lead and let out his signature roar.
“Rapid Ricky” didn’t give up and found a break in the throw to bring the scoreline to 9-6, running away and fighting despite Price being the better player, completing a 116 checkout on his way to 12-8.
However, a big break in the throw, two holds, and a 101 checkout at the top sealed the victory.
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Gerwyn Price has reflected on his Grand Slam darts quarter-final win over Ricky Evans and joked about handing his stick back to the crowd during his victory.
“It’s frustrating that everyone plays their best game against me! Ricky has played well twice in this tournament, but twice against me,” Price told Sky Sports.
“We didn’t play in the top games, but we played really well tonight.
“Apart from the middle, I was very calm. I was watching Ricky get them (the crowd) pumped up, and I was like, ‘I’m going to give back, I’ve got to give back!’
“I love Ricky, he’s a great player and he’s in great form. He’s been great the last few months.
“I’m getting back to my best. I’m not there yet.”
What happens on Saturday?
On Saturday, the Grand Slam quarterfinals conclude with Luke Littler taking on Josh Locke and Lukas Wenig taking on Danny Knoppert.
Saturday 15 November 1900 (Sky Sports + and Sky Sports Main Event)
Quarterfinals (best of 31 legs)
Lukas Wenig vs Danny Knoppert
Luke Littler vs Josh Locke
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