World No 1 Luke Humphries continued his defence of the World Grand Prix title with a 3-1 win over Germany’s Ricardo Pietreczko within the second spherical on Wednesday.
In a repeat of their thrilling World Championship match on the finish of final yr, Humphries confirmed his class in brief bursts to get the higher of Pietreczko and asserted his standing as favorite for the event, following Luke Littler’s first-round exit.
Humphries, 29, will play Jonny Clayton within the quarter-finals on Friday after the Welshman beat Ross Smith 3-1.
Humphries dominated the primary set by profitable all three legs however Pietreczko raised his recreation and broke his opponent on the finish of the second set to stage up the match.
Pietreczko missed a dart at D20 to interrupt Humphries at begin of the third, and the world champion punished him with an amazing 112 checkout (20, T20, D16) to carry throw.
An excellent 130 checkout (T20, T20, D5) gave Humphries the decisive break to win the third and he stepped his foot on the fuel pedal to win the fourth set, ending off with the bullseye.
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Luke Humphries’ spectacular 130 checkout noticed him win the pivotal third set in his World Grand Prix conflict with Ricardo Pietreczko
Aspinall loses thriller to Joyce
Nathan Aspinall misplaced an exhilarating opening match of the evening to Ryan Joyce 3-2 after a deciding-leg shootout.
Remarkably, the opening 10 legs went to throw so the pair gained a set every earlier than Joyce received the primary break of the match firstly of the third and went on to win that set.
Joyce was on the verge of victory within the fourth set when needing a 114 checkout within the deciding leg of the set. He hit T18 however missed the only 20, which might have left tops.
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Nathan Aspinall broke Ryan Joyce’s throw for the primary time within the match as he compelled a deciding fifth set within the final 16 on the World Grand Prix
Aspinall punished him with an outstanding 89 (T19, D16) end to ship the match to a final set.
At 2-1 up within the final set, ‘The Asp’ missed two match darts so Joyce capitalised and a closing leg was required.
Joyce initially missed two match darts at D6 however Aspinall could not discover D18 to win the match and on the third time of asking, Joyce received D6 to knock out final yr’s World Matchplay champion.
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Ryan Joyce prevailed in an epic World Grand Prix final 16 contest with Nathan Aspinall, who missed three match darts
Cross reaches quarter-finals for first time
Former world champion Rob Cross booked his place within the final eight of the World Grand Prix for the primary time in his profession after a 3-1 win over Martin Schindler.
Cross sprinted to the primary set however Schindler surprisingly gained 5 legs in a row, however it was Cross who gained the third set in a deciding leg.
Schindler was unable to seek out his greatest darts after that as Cross gained the fourth set and can play Joyce within the quarter-finals on Friday.
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Rob Cross produced an amazing 105 end on his strategy to beating Martin Schindler on the World Grand Prix
What’s taking place on the World Grand Prix on Thursday?
Daryl Gurney demolished Michael van Gerwen within the first spherical on the World Grand Prix
Daryl Gurney, who whitewashed six-time champion Michael van Gerwen, returns to motion with a second spherical showdown in opposition to 2023 semi-finalist Joe Cullen, who marked his return to Leicester with a terrific comeback win in opposition to an in-form Chris Dobey.
Gary Anderson, the 2016 runner-up, takes on Dutchman Mike De Decker with ‘The Flying Scotsman’ arguably probably the most in-form participant on the circuit with the best seasonal common than another participant on the PDC ProTour.
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Michael van Gerwen did not win a leg throughout his first spherical defeat to Gurney and Wayne Mardle was left bemused on the Dutchman’s board administration
Gerwyn Worth continues his bid for a second double-start success when he takes on two-time winner James Wade, whereas two-time runner-up Dave Chisnall goes up in opposition to Belgian Dimitri Van den Bergh.
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