Niels Zonneveld dumps out Gary Anderson at the World Grand Prix as Humphries and Wade storm through

Niels Zonneveld pulled off a landmark victory over Gary Anderson to progress to the quarter-finals of the World Grand Prix in Leicester on Thursday.

The remaining four quarter-final spots were finalised at the Mattioli Arena, with Zonneveld ending a five-year wait for a televised quarter-final in style.

The Dutchman’s dream debut in the double-start event continued as he saw off 2026 finalist Gary Anderson 3-1, becoming provisional world number 29 in the process.

After claiming a nervy opening set where all five legs were won against the throw, the 28-year-old averaged above 102 in the second set to double his lead, before withstanding a late Anderson fightback to seal victory.

“I think it’s one of the biggest things I’ve achieved in my whole career,” admitted Zonneveld, who made back-to-back European Tour semi-finals in March.

“I have done many things on the ProTour and European Tour stage, but not in the major tournaments.

“Gary Anderson is an awesome player, so I’m really happy with this win.

“I felt really confident. I’m coming back into form and I’ve played really well over the last couple of weeks.”

Zonneveld will now face Luke Humphries in Friday’s quarter-finals after the 2023 champion swept aside Jermaine Wattimena in three straight sets.

The world number two converted 74 per cent of his double-in attempts and missed just five darts at double when checking out in a clinical display, breezing to a fourth consecutive quarter-final in Leicester.

“I was a lot better tonight than I was on Tuesday,” said Humphries, who is yet to drop a set at this year’s World Grand Prix after dispatching Dave Chisnall in Round One.

“I think I got in every time – when you’re doing that it’s going to take a good performance to beat you.

“I don’t care how I win, but when you put in the performance I did on Tuesday, it’s disappointing and you want to put it right. I think I did that tonight.

“For myself, I needed that to think I’ve got a good chance of winning this, and I know I have.

“I feel like there’s still other levels in me, and hopefully I come back tomorrow with some more of that starting, but even better scoring.”

James Wade stormed into an eighth World Grand Prix quarter-final following a 3-1 triumph over Stephen Bunting.

The two-time champion blitzed into a 2-0 lead, taking his foot off the gas in the third set before an imperious three-leg burst saw him wrap up victory.

“I just felt it was down to timing and hitting the right shots at the right time,” said Wade, featuring in his 22nd consecutive World Grand Prix.

“I’m just really grateful to win. It’s so, so tough to win in double-start. It’s really hard work!

“I’m nowhere near my best, but I’m having to play better against better players.

“I’ve got loads more gears to go, but talk is cheap, and I’m full of cheap talk!”

Wade will face Gian van Veen in the quarter-finals, after the Dutchman recovered from 2-1 down to edge out Ryan Searle in a decider.

The Dutch number one struck a 152 checkout en route to taking the first set, before defying a two-set rally from Searle and reeling off four legs on the spin to close out a 3-2 win.

“It means the world to me,” said Van Veen, who has now reached a sixth major quarter-final of 2026.

“In the last two years I’ve played really well here, but I lost my first game. This year I didn’t play quite as well but maybe that’s the secret to winning!

“I love this tournament because it’s different. I think doubling is one of the best aspects of my game and I think it showed tonight in the crucial moments.

“This is why this tournament gives me so much confidence, and hopefully I can go further!

“James is always a tough opponent but I’m going to be up for it. I played him last time at the World Matchplay and hopefully it’s the same result tomorrow!”

World Grand Prix 2026 Day Four Results

Thursday October 1

Second Round

7pm-11pm
Niels Zonneveld 3-1 Gary Anderson
James Wade 3-1 Stephen Bunting
Luke Humphries 3-0 Jermaine Wattimena
Gian van Veen 3-2 Ryan Searle