Luke Humphries and Luke Littler have made it through to the fourth round of the World Championship and are slated to meet in the semi-final of the competition should they continue to progress
Darts world champion Luke Humphries has yet to see anyone performing at an ‘incredible level’ to take his crown at Ally Pally.
Cool Hand Luke has already safely navigated his way into the fourth round of proceedings at Alexandra Palace as he looks to retain his title. Humphries next faces outspoken rival Peter Wright in the last-16 after dispatching Nick Kenny.
Only one darts start has caught his eye in the World Championships thus far and it’s not former champions Wright, or beaten 2024 finalist Luke Littler. Instead it’s Geordie Callan Rydz making a noise.
The 26-year-old made headlines after he whitewashed Romeo Grbavac 3-0 in 15 minutes, and set an opening round competition record average of 107. Speaking before Little defeated Ian White to earn his own place in the fourth round, Humphries detailed his non-plussed assessment of the field.
“I’ve been watching it as a fan, so I’ve been watching a lot of the players,” Humphries told reporters. “And I just kind of don’t really see anybody that’s really put their hand up and performed at an absolutely incredible level.
“The only one off [the top of my head] is Callan Rydz. I didn’t see that game but that’s the only one that’s really performed, to me. I mean Luke [Littler] had that incredible last set [against Ryan Meikle] but before that he wasn’t firing on all cylinders.”
Littler will have done little to persuade Humphries that his verdict was incorrect in his win over White. The teenage superstar endured a stuttering start but eventually prevailed 4-1 on Saturday night.
The Nuke was not required to produce a mesmerising 140.91 average, as he did in the final set of his firt round win. Though his next opponent does not believe Littler will need to be at his best to defeat him.
Speaking of Ryan Joyce’s comments, Littler said: “Didn’t know he said that. If that’s what he’s thinking it’s not really good for his game. I’ve just got to focus on my game and it’s all about what happens on the day.”
World champion Humphries is unconcerned about achieving high-flying averages however. Instead he is simply focused on wins.
“I’m not one of those people that averages 105, 105, 105 – but I do enough to win every time,” he said. “And that’s all that matters. I’d rather be averaging 98, 99 and winning 4-0 than averaging 105 and I’m not here, I’m a loser.
“So I just do what matters, and when the top, top players turn up and I know I’m in for a real slog, that’s when I turn up. That’s when I’m at my best. That’s when I’m firing. So for me, I’m just one of those people that just wants to get the job done.”
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