Luke Humphries admitted he had mixed feelings about his emphatic 3-0 win against Paul Lim in the third round. The world No 3 was in ruthless form as he won the first eight legs of the match before Lim, at 71 the oldest player in the draw, found tops to avoid a complete shutout.
Humphries, the 2024 world champion, said he had great respect for Lim, who was roared on by the capacity crowd throughout as he tried to build on his history-making first-round win against Sweden’s Jeffrey de Graaf at Alexandra Palace.
Humphries said: “The third set wasn’t great, but I didn’t want to destroy him 9-0. I’m glad he got a leg in the end. I knew the crowd were going to be on his side. For me it was a game I had to win and that was the most important thing. He’s just a legend and I love him to bits.”
Humphries will return after Christmas to take on the former world semi-finalist Gabriel Clemens, who shrugged off disappointing form in 2025 to upset Wessel Nijman, the No 31 seed, 3-0.
Ricky Evans held his nerve to claim a dramatic 3-2 win against four-time world semi-finalist James Wade. Evans missed seven match darts before winning the final set 6-4, after Wade – who becomes the highest seed to depart this year’s tournament – missed his own match dart at double five when 4-3 ahead in the final set.
Evans is known for his festive shirts and walking out to Merry Christmas Everyone by Shakin’ Stevens and he took to the stage this time holding a Santa-dressed dancing toy.
The 35-year-old from Kettering said: “The problem is now I’m [playing] after Christmas. I’m going to have to walk on to something not Christmas, aren’t I? I’m going to have Like A Prayer … Madonna. Who cares? I’m still going.”
Gian van Veen underlined his status as a genuine title contender as he summoned a 108 average – the highest of the tournament so far – in wrapping up a 3-1 win against Scotland’s Alan Soutar. The 23-year-old, who nailed a 170 finish to win the third set, was joined in the last 32 by Nathan Aspinall, who was equally impressive in completing a 3-0 win against Leonard Gates.
David Munyua’s historic run was ended by a 3-0 defeat by Kevin Doets. The Kenyan’s first-round victory against the world No 18, Mike De Decker, had delighted African darts fans and earned a congratulatory message from his president William Ruto.
But despite throwing five 180s, Doets’ power scoring and consistency meant there would be no upset this time.
The Latvian No 1, Madars Razma, beat Scotland’s Darren Beveridge 3-1, while 20-year-old qualifier Charlie Manby continued his dream run into round three by brushing aside American Adam Sevada 3-0.
