Humphries Hits Perfect Nine-Darter as Littler and Five Others Seal Last-16 Spots in Wolverhampton

Luke Humphries delivered a moment of darting perfection on Sunday night at the Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts, producing a nine-dart leg to defeat Michael Smith 5–3 and take control of Group A. On a night filled with high drama and big averages at WV Active Aldersley, reigning champion Luke Littler and five other players also confirmed their places in the knockout rounds.

Humphries, who won the Grand Slam in 2023, added another highlight to his growing résumé, sealing victory over Smith in remarkable fashion. The match had been tight through the opening six legs, both players trading holds of throw. After finishing 139 earlier in the contest, Humphries edged 4–3 ahead with a composed 80 checkout before producing a moment of brilliance in the eighth leg.

Starting with a 177, followed by a 180, the world number one then took out 144 to complete a perfect leg and spark huge celebrations from the Wolverhampton crowd. It was already his third televised nine-darter of 2025.

“It’s the weirdest game of darts I’ve been involved in,” Humphries admitted afterwards. “I didn’t feel good and couldn’t hit a treble. It all felt like hard work and I thought the game was gone. To then go on and hit a nine-darter, that’s why darts is one of the best sports in the world. It was quite an incredible game to be part of, and I’m still flabbergasted from what just happened!”

The result keeps Humphries unbeaten in Group A, though he still needs three more legs against Nathan Aspinall in his final group game to mathematically secure qualification for the last 16.

Joining him in the knockout rounds is defending champion Luke Littler, who beat Connor Scutt 5–3 in Group E to extend his winning streak in the tournament. The teenager averaged 105 and hit over 55% of his doubles in another composed performance, shrugging off a 170 checkout from Scutt to seal progression.

“We were both up for a good game,” said Littler. “I can say now that I’m through, relax tomorrow and come back Tuesday. It was better than the first game and hopefully I can play even better going forward. I’m very happy that the pressure is off going into the final game.”

Elsewhere, Ricky Evans also secured a place in the last 16 with a dramatic 5–4 win over Stefan Bellmont, capped by a brilliant 170 checkout. Bellmont still has a chance to progress, however, with his fate hinging on a final-day showdown against Gerwyn Price. The three-time Grand Slam champion produced a dominant 5–0 whitewash of James Wade — a result that eliminated the 2025 UK Open and World Matchplay finalist from the tournament.

Chris Dobey made short work of Damon Heta in Group B, cruising to a 5–1 win to ensure qualification, while Jurjen van der Velde ended Martin Lukeman’s campaign with a narrow 5–4 victory. Lukeman, last year’s runner-up, cannot advance after two straight defeats.

Dutch star Danny Noppert joined the list of confirmed qualifiers, edging Cam Crabtree 5–4 in Group D. Crabtree must now face Germany’s Lukas Wenig in a winner-takes-all clash after Wenig overcame Jonny Clayton 5–3 to keep his hopes alive.

The home crowd also had reason to celebrate as German youngster Niko Springer continued his stunning debut by defeating Michael van Gerwen 5–4 in Group G. Springer’s victory leaves Van Gerwen facing a high-stakes final group match against Gary Anderson, who earlier beat Beau Greaves in a gripping encounter that saw both players average over 102.

“She’s going to cause so much trouble next year in the ProTour,” Anderson said of Greaves. “I watched Beau the night before, she was hitting 140 after 140. After the next five years, I don’t think you will have one person dominating darts because from these youngsters there are going to be so many good darts players.”

Fourth seed Stephen Bunting suffered another early exit, losing 5–4 to Martin Schindler after being edged out by Alexis Toylo 24 hours earlier. The Filipino newcomer lost 5–2 to Luke Woodhouse, who has already secured his passage from Group C, while Toylo and Schindler will face off on Monday for the remaining spot.

European Champion Gian van Veen impressed again with a 107 average in a 5–3 victory over Wessel Nijman, while Josh Rock kept his hopes alive by sweeping Lisa Ashton 5–0 in Group F, leaving three players still in contention there.

In Group E, Czech thrower Karel Sedlacek missed ten match darts but eventually beat Daryl Gurney 5–3, ending the Northern Irishman’s hopes of qualification. Sedlacek will now meet Scutt in a decisive encounter for a place in the last 16.

Aspinall also kept his chances alive, securing a much-needed 5–2 win over American Alex Spellman to leave Group A wide open heading into the final round of fixtures.

Monday’s session will feature the concluding games from Groups A through D, with Tuesday bringing the final group matches for E through H — after which the last 16 lineup will be confirmed at the Grand Slam of Darts.

Humphries Hits Perfect Nine-Darter as Littler and Five Others Seal Last-16 Spots in Wolverhampton

2025 Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts

Sunday November 9

Afternoon Session

Group Stage x8 – Groups B-D-F-H Second Matches

Jurjen van der Velde 5-4 Martin Lukeman (B)

Lukas Wenig 5-3 Jonny Clayton (H)

Josh Rock 5-0 Lisa Ashton (F)

Gerwyn Price 5-0 James Wade (D)

Ricky Evans 5-4 Stefan Bellmont (D)

Danny Noppert 5-4 Cam Crabtree (H)

Gian van Veen 5-3 Wessel Nijman (F)

Chris Dobey 5-1 Damon Heta (B)

Evening Session

Group Stage x8 – Groups A-C-E-G Second Matches

Nathan Aspinall 5-2 Alex Spellman (A)

Karel Sedlacek 5-3 Daryl Gurney (E)

Martin Schindler 5-4 Stephen Bunting (C)

Gary Anderson 5-4 Beau Greaves (G)

Luke Littler 5-3 Connor Scutt (E)

Luke Humphries 5-3 Michael Smith (A) – Luke Humphries hits nine-dart finish

Niko Springer 5-4 Michael van Gerwen (G)

Luke Woodhouse 5-2 Alexis Toylo (C)

Monday November 10 (1900 GMT)

Groups A-D Final Matches

James Wade v Ricky Evans (D)

Chris Dobey v Martin Lukeman (B)

Stephen Bunting v Luke Woodhouse (C)

Martin Schindler v Alexis Toylo (C)

Damon Heta v Jurjen van der Velde (B)

Gerwyn Price v Stefan Bellmont (D)

Michael Smith v Alex Spellman (A)

Luke Humphries v Nathan Aspinall (A)

Tuesday November 11 (1900 GMT)

Groups E-H Final Matches

Jonny Clayton v Danny Noppert (H)

Niko Springer v Beau Greaves (G)

Luke Littler v Daryl Gurney (E)

Lukas Wenig v Cam Crabtree (H)

Connor Scutt v Karel Sedlacek (E)

Michael van Gerwen v Gary Anderson (G)

Wessel Nijman v Lisa Ashton (F)

Gian van Veen v Josh Rock (F)