Luke Humphries and Gian Van Veen Progress as World Grand Prix Reaches Round Two
Luke Humphries and Gian Van Veen Progress as World Grand Prix Reaches Round Two
Luke Humphries cruised into the second round of the BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix with a straight-sets victory over Dave Chisnall on Tuesday, while Gian van Veen claimed his first-ever win at the double-start tournament in Leicester.
The final eight first-round matches took place at the Mattioli Arena, with 2023 champion Humphries safely through despite admitting he was far from his best.
The world number two edged a sluggish contest against Chisnall, with superior doubling-in proving decisive as both players struggled to find consistency on the outer ring.
Humphries averaged just 80.41 — his lowest World Grand Prix average since 2022 — but still secured a 2-0 victory to move into the last 16.
“It was arguably one of my worst performances on the World Grand Prix stage,” admitted Humphries.
“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!”
Humphries will now face Jermaine Wattimena, who also progressed in straight sets after condemning Chris Dobey to a third consecutive first-round exit at the World Grand Prix.
Van Veen, meanwhile, celebrated a landmark moment by recording his first victory on the World Grand Prix stage.
The Dutch number one stormed into a 2-0 victory over Dirk van Duijvenbode after winning the opening five legs, leaving himself on the verge of a comprehensive triumph.
Van Duijvenbode refused to surrender, however, fighting back and earning two set darts before Van Veen finally held his nerve with a brilliant 69 combination finish to seal the deciding set.
Van Veen converted an outstanding 80% of his attempts at double-in and admitted the victory represented another major step forward in his confidence.
“A couple of months ago I would have lost that game,” reflected Van Veen.
“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 now awaits Van Veen in the second round after surviving a huge scare against William O’Connor.
Searle was forced to withstand four match darts before eventually progressing, despite O’Connor winning more legs across the contest and averaging six points more than his opponent.
Gary Anderson also survived a major scare as the Scottish number one edged past Damon Heta.
Anderson appeared to be heading for an early exit before producing a crucial 115 checkout to level the contest at one set apiece.
He then reeled off three consecutive legs to deny Heta a first World Grand Prix victory and secure his place in the last 16.
“I was panicking, but that 115 saved me!” admitted Anderson.
“I was kicking off well and I think I outscored him throughout the whole game, but 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.”
Anderson will face debutant Niels Zonneveld, who produced one of the performances of the night to eliminate Josh Rock.
Zonneveld produced three outstanding finishes of 103, 116 and 133 during the deciding set to defeat the Northern Irish number one 2-1 and secure his place in round two on his World Grand Prix debut.
James Wade also continued his remarkable World Grand Prix record, marking his 22nd consecutive appearance at the event with a comeback victory over Joe Cullen.
The two-time champion recovered from an erratic start to win six of the final eight legs and progress to round two.
Wade will now face Stephen Bunting in a repeat of their 2021 World Grand Prix meeting, after the former Masters champion battled past Andrew Gilding 2-1.
The 2026 BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix resumes on Wednesday as the tournament moves into the second round, with the format increasing to best of five sets.
Gerwyn Price will renew his rivalry with Ross Smith in a repeat of last weekend’s World Series of Darts Finals clash, while Jonny Clayton and Nathan Aspinall will also return to the Mattioli Arena.
Luke Humphries and Gian Van Veen Progress as World Grand Prix Reaches Round Two
2026 BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix
Tuesday September 29
Round One x8
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)
Wednesday September 30 (1900 BST)
Round Two x4
Danny Noppert v Ryan Joyce
Jonny Clayton v Wessel Nijman
Gerwyn Price v Ross Smith
Luke Woodhouse v Nathan Aspinall
Best of Five Sets
Thursday October 1 (1900 BST)
Round Two x4
Niels Zonneveld v Gary Anderson
James Wade v Stephen Bunting
Luke Humphries v Jermaine Wattimena
Gian van Veen v Ryan Searle
Best of Five Sets
