Defending champion Luke Humphries stormed through to the fourth round of the PDC World Darts Championship with a resounding 4-0 victory over Nick Kenny at Alexandra Palace, displaying his intention to retain his title with commanding play. Humphries, the world number one, averaged 98.59 during the match and won nine of the last ten legs, setting up a highly anticipated clash with two-time champion Peter Wright.
The action on Friday night kicked off with Wright overcoming Jermaine Wattimena, battling through visibly health issues to secure his spot with a 4-2 victory. Despite averaging slightly lower at 96.19 compared to Wattimena's 96.50, it was Wright's precision at key moments and his ability to seize opportunities, including hold after hold, which allowed him to edge past his opponent.
Humphries took charge against Kenny right from the start, capitalizing on Kenny's missed opportunities, including a pivotal double 16, to steal the opening set. After being broken initially at the start of the second set, Humphries quickly regained dominance, showcasing his finishing prowess including a spectacular 145 checkout.
"I knew I wasn't firing," said Humphries after the match. "I suspected there was so much more to give, but it just wasn't coming out of me. I'm not going to give up this world title without a fight." These words resonate true as Humphries, with his eyes set on defending his title, approaches the next round confidently.
Wright, on the other hand, managed his match against Wattimena with sheer determination, albeit struggling with visible illness. The victory was heartening for Wright, who lamented after the match, "The support was brilliant. Hopefully, I'll be feeling a little bit right for the next round." His emotional connection with the crowd was palpable, culminating with tears of joy as he acknowledged their support.
Gerwyn Price also showcased remarkable resilience as he overcame Joe Cullen, who staged a thrilling comeback. Price initially led 3-0 before Cullen responded fiercely, even pulling off an impressive 170 checkout dubbed the 'Big Fish', which pushed the match to sudden death. Price eventually secured his progression with his final dart finding the double target, eliciting relief from the crowd.
Following his nail-biting match, Price remarked, "The crowd were well behind him, and I actually thought I was going to lose. But I kept my composure and thankfully got the win. I’ve got more to give, and I’ll play much cleaner next time."
Earlier during the day's matches, Stephen Bunting also advanced to the fourth round, defeating Madars Razma 4-1. He will face Luke Woodhouse, who managed to win 4-3 against Damon Heta, who threw the tournament's second nine-darter but ended on the losing side. It was Heta’s impressive feat which earned him £60,000, alongside the same amount awarded to the crowd member who successfully predicted the nine-darter.
With the competition heating up, fans are eagerly anticipating the next round where Humphries is set to clash with Wright. The upcoming match not only holds personal stakes for both players but will also bear the weight of expectation as the reigning champion takes on the resilient two-time champ. Wright previously stated, "He [Wright] said he doesn't fear me and Luke Littler so we'll see when we play again," hinting at the competitive nature of their upcoming duel.
Overall, the third round of the PDC World Darts Championship has showcased thrilling matches, emotional victories, and unforgettable moments, setting the stage for what promises to be even more thrilling action as the tournament progresses through to the final stages. Fans can look forward to more drama, as well as the potential for more nine-darters, with only one more needed to match the record of three set previously.
The PDC World Darts Championship continues to be not just about the sport, but the stories behind the players, their struggles and triumphs, as we edge closer to crowning the next champion at Alexandra Palace.
