Humphries has “nothing to lose” ahead of his second TV final at the World Grand Prix

Humphries has “nothing to lose” ahead of his second TV final at the World Grand Prix

Luke Humphries thinks he has ‘nothing to lose’ in Sunday’s BoyleSports World Grand Prix final as he seeks his first televised ranking crown.

Humphries will face 2020 winner Gerwyn Price in the double-start decider on Sunday, after defeating Joe Cullen and Michael Smith in Saturday’s semi-finals.

Price overcame a mid-game slump to defeat World Champion Smith in the last four, winning nine of the final ten legs to reach his third World Grand Prix final in four years.

Meanwhile, Humphries defeated Cullen in straight sets in the last four, exploiting the Yorkshireman’s doubling troubles to advance to his second televised ranking final.

“Just being in a major final is a special feeling. I am really excited,” admitted Humphries, a runner-up at the UK Open in March 2021.

“The build-up, the feeling of knowing that you’re involved in the one game that’s going to entertain the crowd. Nothing can beat that.

“This is the reason I play this sport, to be in these career-defining moments that make you or break you.

“We dedicate everything for these moments, and I’m going to give it my all. I am really going to put everything on the line.”

Humphries has made significant progress in the last 18 months, winning five European Tour championships and reaching the semi-finals of five of his last seven televised events.

The 28-year-old appears to be on track to realise his undeniable potential, and victory at Leicester’s Morningside Arena on Sunday would propel him into the world’s top four – at the expense of Price.

“This is another stepping stone. I’m on the right track,” insisted Humphries, a 2/1 outsider with title sponsor BoyleSports.

“I don’t think I’ve been at my best throughout the whole tournament, but neither has Gezzy, so it’s going to come down to who can hold their nerve.

“I’m much more mature, much more experienced now and I don’t think I will let the big occasion get to me like I would have two years ago.

“There is no pressure on my shoulders. I am the underdog, but I really believe I can win this title. Maybe we will see what Luke Humphries is made of!”

The sixth seed has only lost two sets en route to his first double-start final, defeating 2017 winner Daryl Gurney and two-time World Champion Peter Wright.

Humphries has also won both of his matches with Price in 2023, defeating the Welshman in the quarter-finals of the US Darts Masters in May and the semi-finals of the Hungarian Darts Trophy last month.

However, the former World Youth Champion does not feel this will be a factor on Sunday, especially given Price’s previous success on the big stage.

“That [record] does feed into that confidence, but this is a different ball game,” conceded the Englishman, who is now guaranteed a place in next month’s Grand Slam of Darts.

“European Tour semi-finals, World Series quarter-finals…we’re in a major final, and I don’t think Gezzy is going to worry about me beating him twice this year.

“This is as big as it gets, and I’m just over the moon to be in a TV final again.

“I’ve got nothing to lose, so I’m going to enjoy it, because these opportunities don’t come around every day.”