Dave Chisnall denies nine-dart Luke Humphries to claim Hungarian Darts Trophy title
Dave Chisnall defied a sensational nine-darter from Luke Humphries to claim his third European Tour title of 2023 at the Hungarian Darts Trophy on Sunday.
Chisnall, who also denied Humphries in the final of the Baltic Sea Darts Open and Dutch Darts Championship earlier this year, completed the hat-trick in Budapest to cap off a thrilling weekend of action.
Humphries looked set to triumph at the MVM Dome after moving 7-5 up in the final with the aid of a roof-raising nine-darter – the first on the Euro Tour since Chisnall’s at last year’s Belgian Open.
However, Chisnall fought back superbly, reeling off the last three legs without reply and surviving a match dart in an extraordinary climax to pocket the £30,000 top prize with a 104.8 average.
“I would love to play Luke in every final! He is a phenomenal dart player,” said Chisnall, who has now won six European Tour titles in five different countries.
“I’m so happy to win the tournament, but full credit to Luke. He’s been playing with an injury all day.
“I threw everything at him and he just kept fighting back. I couldn’t get rid of him! It was a fantastic final.”
Chisnall’s victory in Budapest has seen him establish a £20,000 lead over Humphries at the top of the European Tour Order of Merit, with just one event remaining in Hildesheim next month.
The 43-year-old looks set be number one seed at October’s European Championship in Dortmund, as he continues his bid for an elusive televised title over the coming months.
“I always fancy my chances to win a TV title,” added Chisnall, who missed double 12 for a nine-darter of his own earlier in the evening.
“I’ve missed lots of opportunities [in the past] and you can’t do that at this level, but I’m going to carry on and keep believing. I will win one!”
Chisnall began the day with a 6-1 rout of Rowby-John Rodriguez, before defying a ton-plus average from Michael van Gerwen to prevail in a thrilling Quarter-Final tie.
Chisnall then held off a late fightback from surprise package Scott Williams to prevail in a dramatic Semi-Final, landing six 180s and averaging almost 101 to set up a show-down with Humphries.
Humphries drew first blood in the final with a majestic 170 checkout – his second of the evening – and capitalised on his strong start to open up a 3-1 lead.
Chisnall responded with back-to-back 12-darters to draw level, and he continued his blistering form with a 146 checkout in leg nine to edge 5-4 ahead.
Humphries then enjoyed a sparkling spell of his own, restoring parity at five apiece before following up a 12-dart break on the bull with his roof-raising nine-darter to move to the cusp of victory.
The pendulum swung yet again as Chisnall claimed consecutive legs to force a decider, and he sealed the deal via double 16, but only after Humphries had missed double 12 for another incredible 141 finish.
Humphries had battled through the pain of a back spasm to reach his sixth European Tour final of the year, producing a string of brilliant displays in Budapest.
The 28-year-old averaged 108 in his demolition of Keane Barry on Saturday, and he kicked off Sunday’s action with another devastating display – averaging 106 to sweep aside Martin Schindler 6-1.
Humphries posted another ton-plus average to whitewash Luke Woodhouse in the Last Eight, before averaging 103 and landing seven 180s in his semi-final success against Gerwyn Price.
“If you had told me this morning that I would have got to the final I wouldn’t have believed you,” admitted Humphries.
“I need to give credit to myself because I really battled hard today. If that dart at double 12 had gone in, this probably would have been one of the greatest games I’ve ever played.
“I had the 170, the nine-darter. I gave it everything and although tiredness was creeping in, I still put up a great fight with five ton-plus averages this weekend.
“I just could not shake Chizzy off. What a player he is. If he finds this form on a TV stage he will win one, and he’s a player that deserves to win one.”
Price impressed in his run to the semi-finals, overcoming defending champion Joe Cullen and Damon Heta at the MVM Dome.
The Welshman converted all six of his attempts at double to dethrone Cullen in the Last 16, and he then fought back from 5-1 down to stun Heta 6-5 in an enthralling battle.
Price was joined in the Semi-Finals by Williams, who recorded deciding-leg wins over Danny Noppert and Mike De Decker to celebrate his best showing on the European Tour stage.
Woodhouse’ run to a maiden European Tour Quarter-Final was enough to secure his place in the upcoming World Grand Prix at the expense of Gian van Veen.
Dutch prospect Van Veen was in the provisional qualification places ahead of Sunday’s action, but his Last 16 defeat to Heta saw him miss out on a double-start debut.
Heta then suffered a dramatic Quarter-Final exit, bowing out at the same stage as Van Gerwen and De Decker – who dumped out World Champion Michael Smith earlier in the afternoon.
The 2023 European Tour campaign will conclude with the German Darts Championship in Hildesheim from October 13-15.
Hungarian Darts Trophy 2023 Day Three Results
Sunday September 24
Afternoon Session
Last 16
Luke Woodhouse 6-2 Peter Wright
Luke Humphries 6-1 Martin Schindler
Gerwyn Price 6-4 Joe Cullen
Damon Heta 6-4 Gian van Veen
Mike De Decker 6-2 Michael Smith
Scott Williams 6-5 Danny Noppert
Jonny Clayton 5-6 Michael van Gerwen
Dave Chisnall 6-1 Rowby-John Rodriguez
Evening Session
Quarter-Finals
Luke Woodhouse 0-6 Luke Humphries
Gerwyn Price 6-5 Damon Heta
Mike De Decker 5-6 Scott Williams
Michael van Gerwen 4-6 Dave Chisnall
Semi-Finals
Luke Humphries 7-4 Gerwyn Price
Dave Chisnall 7-5 Scott Williams
Final
Dave Chisnall 8-7 Luke Humphries – *Humphries hits a nine-darter*
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