Humphries, Wade progress at World Grand Prix as Rock dumped out

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Clumpy Progress: Humphries Crushes Chisnall to Advance to World Grand Prix Second Round Amidst Struggles for Wade and Rock

Luke Humphries escaped considerable disappointment from a series of missed finishing doubles to defeat underperforming Dave Chisnall 2–0, securing a place in the World Grand Prix second round in Leicester. With three consecutive finals in his career across this event—including a 2023 champion title—aceded by narrow victories over two runners‑up contenders—he has become the clear favorite to win the tournament this year following Luke Littler’s unexpected elimination by Luke Woodhouse early on.

Cool Hand dispatched Chisnall convincingly, averaging only 80.41 and posting a 26 % rate across his doubles performance, enabling him to meet Jermaine Wattimena in the next second‑round confrontation.

Chisnall had a chance to break Humphries and force a deciding set only to bust his score, before the world No 2 wrapped up victory on double four and then appeared to shush someone in the crowd.

Dobey, meanwhile, suffered a first-round exit for the third year running.

Rock – who at one point attempted an audacious 101 finish with bullseye, one, bullseye – had lit up proceedings by following a 180 with a roof‑raising 151 to break Zonneveld and ensure a deciding set.

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Dobey, meanwhile, suffered a first-round exit for the third year running.

‘Hollywood’ – who burned four darts to break Wattimena in the opening leg – averaged below 80 and really struggled to hit the mandatory starting double in legs, with a sizzling 128 finish at the start of the second set his only moment of magic.

Wade progresses but more Grand Prix woe for Heta

James Wade fought back from a set down and shrugged off six missed match darts 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 leg of the second set when Wade hit the bull for a finish of 81, just as Cullen was eyeing a break that would have left him throwing for victory.

Wade faffed about before getting over the line, squandering arrows at double top and double 10 in the third leg of the deciding set before pinning double 10 in the next to advance.

Wade’s reward is a clash with Stephen Bunting, who defeated Andrew Gilding 2-1 in the final match of the round.

There was further Grand Prix despair for Damon Heta as he suffered a sixth‑straight first‑round loss – the Australian has never won a match here – after squandering a one‑set lead and a match dart at double five in the second set against Anderson.

Anderson, runner‑up in 2016 to Michael van Gerwen, swept the third set 3-0 while averaging 110.

Gian van Veen saw off fellow Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode in straight sets for his first victory on this stage after round‑one exits in 2024 and 2025, to Ross Smith and Littler respectively.

However, Van Duijvenbode missed two tries at double 16 to set up a decider having belatedly found his scoring form after an abject display while losing the first five legs.

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