Unstoppable Luke Humphries romps to German Darts Grand Prix title
Luke Humphries stormed to his sixth European Tour title in imperious fashion at the German Darts Grand Prix, thrashing Michael van Gerwen 6-1 in the final in Munich.
Humphries had claimed his maiden European Tour success in this event two years ago, and regained the crown to the delight of a sell-out crowd at the Zenith.
The world number one had been outstanding in his Second Round win over Luke Woodhouse on Sunday, and swept to glory on Easter Monday courtesy of four fantastic displays.
The reigning World Champion – a winner of three Premier League nights during March – signalled his intentions with a 111.63 average in a 6-2 win over Ryan Joyce in the Last 16.
He repeated that scoreline in the quarter-finals against Danny Noppert – where he averaged 107 to Noppert’s 106 – before comfortably seeing off Premier League rival Gerwyn Price 7-3 in the semi-finals.
Humphries was at his prolific best in the final as he denied Van Gerwen a fourth German Grand Prix title with an 8-1 demolition, averaging 112.66 and landing a second 170 checkout of the tournament.
“I was just unbeatable there to be honest and I’m really, really proud of the way I’ve played this weekend,” said Humphries. “That’s the level you have to be to win nowadays.
“I felt a little bit tired against Gezzy but I kept going and that final against Michael felt effortless, it felt good.
“To put in performances like that in finals is obviously really pleasing but for me pick up another European Tour title two years on since my first is really special.
“The crowd have been absolutely amazing for me, it’s something that I’m not used to but I really appreciate it – it meant a lot.”
Van Gerwen took the opening leg of the final with a 14-darter, but that would be as good as it got for the Dutchman as Humphries levelled in the same manner before punishing a miss a double eight with another 14-darter to break throw.
Humphries then took out 112 to move 3-1 up, fired in checkouts of 81 and 96 for 11-darters to put daylight between the pair and then landed another 14-darter for a 6-1 advantage.
A sensational 170 checkout – matching his high finish against Woodhouse on Sunday – moved Humphries to the brink of victory, and three missed doubles from Van Gerwen in the next allowed him in to seal the title.
“I think the two best players in the world were fighting it out. I know 8-1 is a bit of a flattering score but me and Michael will have many finals in the future,” added Humphries.
“The way I’ve played this weekend is the levels you have to be to win – that’s how crazy the game’s got and that’s how good you have to be to beat the likes of Michael.
“He’s been here for ten years consistently one of the best players in the world and I look up to him a lot, so to beat him in another final is fantastic.
“I just love playing him to be honest, he shows a lot of respect and it was a great final. That’s elite sport – sometimes it’s your day and today was my day.”
Van Gerwen had been bidding to claim a first PDC ranking title since last May, but was forced to settle for the £12,000 runner-up prize.
His run to the final included a whitewash win over Joe Cullen with a 102 average in the Last 16, before dropping only two legs apiece against Jermaine Wattimena and Martin Schindler.
“It’s a good time for myself to reach the final,” admitted Van Gerwen. “Of course there’s a lot of negatives but also a lot of positives and my form I think has come from far – to reach the final I think is a big positive.
“I want to say thank you to the crowd, thanks for the organisation – I think it was a good tournament and I’m pleased.
“You need to perform really well if you want to beat him, we all know that. Early doors in the game I had a few chances but my scoring wasn’t good enough and fair play to him.
“I think at this moment he is the best player and we all have to face it, we have to battle but he also knows this is not going to run forever. He’s playing some cracking darts, I have to admit that.”
Price reached his second successive European Tour semi-final, whitewashing Ryan Searle with a scintillating Last 16 display before edging out Josh Rock in a deciding leg in the quarter-finals.
Schindler’s best run for 12 months – since reaching a Euro Tour semi-final in Riesa – saw him overcome both Chris Dobey and Nathan Aspinall 6-4 on Sunday before losing out to Van Gerwen.
Wattimena saw off top seed Dave Chisnall 6-5 in the Last 16, while Rock and Noppert overcame former World Champions Michael Smith and Rob Cross respectively on Sunday afternoon to seal quarter-final places.
German Darts Grand Prix 2024 Day Three Results
Monday April 1
Afternoon Session
Last 16
Josh Rock 6-4 Michael Smith
Gerwyn Price 6-0 Ryan Searle
Rob Cross 2-6 Danny Noppert
Luke Humphries 6-2 Ryan Joyce
Nathan Aspinall 6-2 Ross Smith
Martin Schindler 6-4 Chris Dobey
Michael van Gerwen 6-0 Joe Cullen
Dave Chisnall 5-6 Jermaine Wattimena
Evening Session
Quarter-Finals
Josh Rock 5-6 Gerwyn Price
Danny Noppert 2-6 Luke Humphries
Nathan Aspinall 4-6 Martin Schindler
Michael van Gerwen 6-2 Jermaine Wattimena
Semi-Finals
Luke Humphries 7-3 Gerwyn Price
Michael van Gerwen 7-2 Martin Schindler
Final
Luke Humphries 8-1 Michael van Gerwen
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