Danny Noppert dumps Luke Humphries out of the UK Open as Wade thrashes Van Gerwen

Danny Noppert dumped Luke Humphries out of the 2026 UK Open in the Last 32 on Saturday, while James Wade thrashed Michael van Gerwen.

An action-packed Day Two at Butlins Minehead saw 32 players whittled down to just eight, as a host of star names were sent packing.

Reigning champion Luke Littler maintained his bid for back-to-back titles by booking his place in a third consecutive UK Open quarter-final.

The world number one survived a scare in defeating Kevin Doets 10-8 in the afternoon session, before delivering a statement display to account for 2018 champion Gary Anderson 10-5.

Anderson produced averages of 107.4 and 105.8 in defeating Dirk van Duijvenbode and Martin Schindler respectively, though he was unable to replicate those heroics against Littler.

The World Champion will now lock horns with Noppert in another intriguing tussle, after the 2022 champion dumped out Peter Wright and world number two Humphries on Saturday.

After landing a nine-darter to complete victory over 2024 UK Open champion Dimitri Van den Bergh on Friday, Noppert demolished 2017 champion Wright 10-2 on Stage Two.

The 35-year-old claimed another major scalp in the Last 16, punishing a dismal display of finishing from Humphries to register his first televised triumph over the two-time UK Open runner-up.

“What can I say? I won against Luke Humphries finally on the big stage,” said Noppert, one of three former champions remaining in the field.

“I’m very happy with my performance. I think Luke didn’t play his best game; he missed a lot of doubles so I had more opportunities.

“I took my chances and that’s the most important thing. Four years ago now, I lifted the title here. I lifted it once, why not twice!”

Three-time champion Van Gerwen was another high-profile casualty in Minehead, succumbing to a virtuoso performance from an inspired Wade.

Wade – a three-time UK Open champion in three different decades – followed up a 10-2 drubbing of Gabriel Clemens with a 105.8 average and a 10-3 demolition of the Dutchman.

Gerwyn Price produced one of the most astonishing comebacks in UK Open history to stun Keane Barry on Stage Two and preserve his title hopes.

Price, who celebrated his 41st birthday on Saturday, fought back from 9-4 down to seal his spot in the quarter-finals, rattling off six consecutive legs in a remarkable conclusion to the contest.

The Welshman converted 121, 84, 81, 90 and 79 checkouts in consecutive legs to set up a thrilling finale, before firing in a 14-dart hold to complete the fightback.

“I missed some chances early on. I was missing doubles left right and centre,” reflected Price, who averaged 101 in his 10-5 victory over Wessel Nijman earlier in the day.

“I think I lost five legs on the bounce, it was a frustrating game at times. I was scoring really well and missing doubles.

“I’m just thankful to come through that game, and I’m on a free roll now, so I don’t care.

“I get support everywhere now, but this was like playing in Wales! There was support for Keane and me, but maybe a bit more for me at the end I think!”

Price will now go head-to-head with his World Cup partner Jonny Clayton in a blockbuster quarter-final on Sunday, as Clayton sets his sights on a first TV ranking title since October 2021.

2025 semi-finalist Clayton booked his place in the Last Eight with consecutive 10-7 victories over Darryl Pilgrim and Martin Lukeman, crashing in eight 180s in his Last 16 clash against Lukeman.

Meanwhile, Rob Cross dumped out former World Grand Prix champions Mike De Decker and Daryl Gurney in advancing to his first televised ranking quarter-final since November 2024.

Cross recovered from 9-7 down to edge past De Decker in a dramatic Last 32 encounter, before converting 130 and 152 checkouts en route to a resounding 10-6 victory over Gurney.

Josh Rock and Krzysztof Ratajski completed the quarter-final line-up, and the pair will go head-to-head in Sunday afternoon’s opening tie on the Main Stage.

Ratajski swept aside Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak and World Championship semi-finalist Ryan Searle to reach his second UK Open quarter-final, and his first since 2021.

Rock, meanwhile, recorded back-to-back 10-7 wins over Germany’s Dominik Gruellich and his Premier League rival Stephen Bunting to continue his bid for a maiden televised ranking title.

UK Open 2026 Day Two Results

Saturday March 7

Afternoon Session

Last 32

Main Stage
Gary Anderson 10-7 Martin Schindler
Gerwyn Price 10-5 Wessel Nijman
Luke Littler 10-8 Kevin Doets
Luke Humphries 10-4 Dave Chisnall

Stage Two
Jonny Clayton 10-7 Darryl Pilgrim
Danny Noppert 10-2 Peter Wright
Rob Cross 10-9 Mike De Decker
Michael van Gerwen 10-6 Kai Gotthardt

Stage Three
Ross Smith 8-10 Daryl Gurney
Stephen Bunting 10-2 Mensur Suljovic
Josh Rock 10-7 Dominik Gruellich
Ryan Joyce 7-10 Keane Barry

Stage Four
Martin Lukeman 10-3 Madars Razma
James Wade 10-2 Gabriel Clemens
Krzysztof Ratajski 10-5 Oskar Lukasiak
Ryan Searle 10-9 Michael Smith

Evening Session

Last 16

Main Stage
Josh Rock 10-7 Stephen Bunting
Luke Littler 10-5 Gary Anderson
Michael van Gerwen 3-10 James Wade
Luke Humphries 6-10 Danny Noppert

Stage Two
Jonny Clayton 10-7 Martin Lukeman
Rob Cross 10-6 Daryl Gurney
Gerwyn Price 10-9 Keane Barry
Ryan Searle 5-10 Krzysztof Ratajski