Gian van Veen (Photo PDC)
Luke Humphries advanced into round two of the World Grand Prix with a straight-sets victory over Dave Chisnall on Tuesday, as Gian van Veen also progressed in Leicester.
Day Two of the £750,000 double-start tournament saw the final eight round one matches take place at the Mattioli Arena, with 2023 champion Humphries returning to winning ways.
The world number two came out on top of a sluggish affair against Chisnall thanks to superior doubling-in, despite the pair both hitting under 27% of their check out attempts.
“It was arguably one of my worst performances on the World Grand Prix stage,” considered Humphries, who averaged 80.41, his lowest average in the tournament since 2022.
“I didn’t feel comfortable throughout the whole game, and I felt like Dave wasn’t at his best there.
“When I won the title the first time, I had games where I didn’t really play very well, but I made the final and I played really well, so I don’t care how I win, as long as I do!”
Wattimena – Humphries’ opponent in round two – also sealed a straight-sets win, condemning Chris Dobey to a third consecutive round one exit at the double-start event.
Fellow Dutchman Van Veen picked up a career-first win on the World Grand Prix stage, downing Dirk van Duijvenbode 2-0 after a dominant start to the contest.
The Dutch number one took the opening five legs to storm within one leg of a rampant victory, but had to withstand two set darts and a valiant fightback from Van Duijvenbode before closing out the win with a clutch 69 combination finish.
“A couple of months ago I would have lost that game,” reflected Van Veen, who had an outstanding 80% success rate with his double-in attempts.
“I think that dart at double 16 [for the match] showed how much confidence I have in my own game.
“I would have probably missed that a couple of months ago because I was doubting myself, and I think this is a big step for myself.
“That’s why that 69 finish meant so much to me, because I knew if I missed that it would have probably been 1-1, and I would have been in big trouble.”
Ryan Searle awaits Van Veen in the last 16, after the World Championship semi-finalist was forced to survive four match darts against William O’Connor.
The Irish number one’s misery will be exacerbated by the fact he won more legs than Searle across the set-play contest, while averaging six points more than eventual victor Searle.
Scottish number one Gary Anderson also survived a match dart against Damon Heta, taking out a skin-saving 115 finish to level the contest at one set apiece before reeling three more consecutive legs to deny the Australian number one a first World Grand Prix win.
“I was panicking, but that 115 saved me!” confessed Anderson, who will face debutant Niels Zonneveld on Thursday.
“I was kicking off well and I think I outscored him throughout the whole game, but it when it went to 2-2 in that second set, I thought ‘oh here we go!’
“I’m at the stage now where I do love a game of darts, but there’s no pressure on me whatsoever.”
Zonneveld produced an inspired display to see off Northern Irish number one Josh Rock on debut, producing outshots of 103, 116 and 133 in the deciding set to prevail 2-1 with aplomb.
James Wade marked his 22nd consecutive World Grand Prix appearance with a comeback win over Joe Cullen, recovering from an erratic start to win six of the last eight legs and progress to round two.
Wade will play Stephen Bunting in their first big stage clash since the 2021 World Grand Prix, as the former Masters winners sealed a 2-1 victory over Andrew Gilding.
RESULTS
Round One
Jermaine Wattimena 2-0 Chris Dobey (3-1, 3-2)
Ryan Searle 2-1 William O’Connor (3-2, 0-3, 3-2)
Niels Zonneveld 2-1 Josh Rock (3-1, 2-3, 3-1)
James Wade 2-1 Joe Cullen (1-3, 3-1, 3-1)
Gary Anderson 2-1 Damon Heta (1-3, 3-1, 3-0)
Gian van Veen 2-0 Dirk van Duijvenbode (3-0, 3-2)
Luke Humphries 2-0 Dave Chisnall (3-1, 3-1)
Stephen Bunting 2-1 Andrew Gilding (3-1, 1-3, 3-1)
