UPDATE: World number two Luke Humphries narrowly escaped elimination in a thrilling match against Germany’s Gabriel Clemens, securing his spot in the last 16 of the 2024 World Championship at Alexandra Palace. The match concluded with Humphries edging out Clemens 4-2 after a tense final set, confirming his status as a top contender.
In a gripping contest, Humphries appeared to dominate early, taking the first two sets comfortably before clinching a tight third set. However, a stunning 125 checkout from Clemens sparked a remarkable comeback, closing the gap to 3-2. The pressure mounted as Clemens had three darts to level the match in the sixth set at 2-2, but he missed, allowing Humphries to capitalize and secure victory.
“I thought I had control,” Humphries told Sky Sports. “If that double hadn’t gone in and it had been 3-3… I’m panicking. That could be the difference between being a two-time world champion and not.” His emotional celebration reflected the high stakes, underscoring the intense pressure faced in elite competition.
The excitement at Alexandra Palace didn’t end there. Three-time world champion Michael Van Gerwen showcased his dominance by defeating Arno Merk 4-1, averaging 99.7. Van Gerwen dismissed any notion of a close contest, stating, “I played too well today. We all know what he is capable of but I played good today.” He now prepares for a showdown with Scottish veteran Gary Anderson.
Anderson, a two-time champion, displayed his resilience by overcoming Jermaine Wattimena 4-3 in a nail-biting finale. Wattimena fought valiantly, saving four match darts, but ultimately fell short as Anderson secured the win, narrowly missing a double 12 for a nine-dart finish.
Meanwhile, past winner Rob Cross dominated Damon Heta, winning 4-0 and setting up a clash with reigning champion Luke Littler. Additionally, Ryan Searle from Devon triumphed over German number one Martin Schindler 4-0, while Gian Van Veen continued to impress with a 4-1 victory against Latvia’s Madars Razma.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Humphries as he aims to solidify his path toward potential championship glory. The stakes are rising, and fans can expect even more thrilling action in the coming rounds. Stay tuned for updates as the drama unfolds at Alexandra Palace!
