The third round of the Darts World Championship saw Luke Humphries deliver a ruthless performance, defeating Paul Lim 3-0 in a match that was more one-sided than the scoreline suggests. Humphries, the world No 3 and 2024 world champion, won the first eight legs of the match, showcasing his exceptional skill and precision. Lim, at 71 the oldest player in the draw, eventually found his footing, winning a leg to avoid a complete shutout.
Humphries expressed mixed feelings about his victory, acknowledging the great respect he has for Lim, who was cheered on by the capacity crowd throughout the match. "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," Humphries said. "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 former world semi-finalist Gabriel Clemens, who upset Wessel Nijman, the No 31 seed, 3-0, to advance to the next round.
In other matches, 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 missed his own match dart at double five when 4-3 ahead in the final set. Evans, known for his festive shirts and walking out to Merry Christmas Everyone by Shakin’ Stevens, took to the stage holding a Santa-dressed dancing toy.
Evans joked about his upcoming match, saying, "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." The 35-year-old from Kettering will look to continue his winning streak in the next round.
The Darts World Championship continues to deliver exciting matches, with top players showcasing their skills and newcomers making a name for themselves. As the tournament progresses, fans can expect more thrilling encounters and unexpected upsets. With the competition heating up, the question on everyone's mind is: who will be crowned the ultimate champion?
The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the tournament, with Luke Humphries and Gabriel Clemens set to face off in the next round. Will Humphries continue his dominant form, or will Clemens pull off an upset? The answer will have to wait until after Christmas, when the tournament resumes. One thing is certain, however: the Darts World Championship will continue to entertain and captivate audiences with its unique blend of skill, strategy, and sportsmanship.
Original: The Guardian
Image: The Guardian
Written by Npsports
