Luke Humphries & Luke Littler learn opponents in first round of World Matchplay
Luke Humphries begins his defence of the Betfred World Matchplay crown with a booby-trap on the Golden Mile.
Cool Hand Luke became only the fourth player to rule at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool and win the PDC World Championship in the same year, after Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen and Peter Wright, when he beat MVG 18-15 in a thrilling final 12 months ago. But world No.1 Humphries faces a major test in the first round against rising Dutch star Gian van Veen when the tournament opens on July 19.
And 18-year-old world champion Luke Littler would have an easier ride on the resort's famous Big One rollercoaster than his opening tie against Ryan Searle. Littler is the tournament favourite with the host sponsor.
With £200,000 to the winner, and the 2,000-plus venue sold out for every session since February, the World Matchplay is regarded as the biggest competition outside the annual fancy dress convention at Alexandra Palace.
Humphries, who won last month's US Darts Masters at New York's iconic Madison Square Garden, told Online Darts: 'I'm all about retaining titles - I didn't get to retain my world title but you want to go back-to-back and all eyes are on Blackpool.
'I feel like I'm one of those players who can turn it round if I'm playing badly, but to go into World Matchplay with a title under my belt in New York can only be good for my confidence. I've got to the stage now where I don't think too much into it - but I can't wait.'
Van Veen, up to No.22 in the order of merit and rising, was the PDC Youth world champion last year and reached the European Championship semi-finals two years ago.
The first round draw also includes a double-Dutch blockbuster between three-times champion Van Gerwen and 58-year-old legend Raymond van Barneveld.
Draw in Full
(1) Luke Humphries v Gian van Veen
(16) Danny Noppert v Cameron Menzies
(8) Nathan Aspinall v Wessel Nijman
(9) James Wade v Joe Cullen
(4) Stephen Bunting v Ryan Joyce
(13) Gary Anderson v Luke Woodhouse
(5) Jonny Clayton v Martin Schindler
(12) Dave Chisnall v Mike De Decker
(2) Luke Littler v Ryan Searle
(15) Peter Wright v Jermaine Wattimena
(7) Damon Heta v Andrew Gilding
(10) Rob Cross v Dirk van Duijvenbode
(3) Michael van Gerwen v Raymond van Barneveld
(14) Ross Smith v Josh Rock
(6) Chris Dobey v Ricardo Pietreczko
(11) Gerwyn Price v Daryl Gurney
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South Wales Argus
3 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Stephen Bunting battles past Gary Anderson in World Matchplay thriller
It took a while for both players to shift into a gear as doubles proved troublesome for the pair throughout the match, which went beyond the allotted 21 legs. The contest went back and forth but Bunting, who also missed double 12 for a nine-darter, chalked off five straight legs to make it 9-6 and it looked like he would go on to seal a comfortable victory. 🗣️| 'Can you sum up your performance with a sound…'@sbunting180 got the job done against Gary Anderson in the end and provided us with a classic reaction in the aftermath…@OfficialPDC — Betfred (@Betfred) July 22, 2025 However, Anderson survived match darts as he fought back to make it a level game but Bunting finally got the job done to win by two clear legs and seal the win. Both players averaged less than 30 per cent on checkouts which made for darting drama and Bunting admitted to being nervous on stage. After the match, he told Sky Sports: 'He's a quality operator. One of the best players to grace the stage and I have nothing but respect for Gary Anderson, and what a win in my career. 'I felt nervous anyway. I've got (son) Theo with me tonight, Toby, the missus, but we're through and I can relax now. 'I feel great and playing the best darts of my life and enjoying being in Blackpool – the fans have been incredible.' James Wade is red hot in Blackpool… 🔥 A 102 average and some brilliant finishing as he beats Wessel Nijman! 📺 | R2 — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 22, 2025 James Wade produced a vintage performance as he swept Matchplay debutant Wessel Nijman aside in an 11-5 win. There was nothing to separate the two players through the opening six legs but Wade jumped all over the young Dutchman's mistakes as he started to race clear. The game started to turn when Wade brilliantly hit back-to-back bullseye finishes to go 8-4 up with his third ton-plus finish of the match. That was in the middle of five straight legs that Wade put together to go within a leg of victory and the Machine pinned double tops to wrap up an impressive win. Gian van Veen reeled off seven straight legs on his way to a thumping 11-5 victory over Danny Noppert. The Winter Gardens in all its glory 😍 — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 22, 2025 Noppert started on fire and jumped 2-0 ahead but his Dutch compatriot shifted into top gear and went into the second break with a 7-3 lead which Noppert could not bounce back from. Van Veen, who surprisingly knocked out Luke Humphries in the first round, threw four 180s and averaged just under 95 to book his spot in the quarter-finals. Jonny Clayton continued his good run of form with an 11-8 win over Mike de Decker. The Ferret threw nine 180s and never went behind in the contest but held off a couple of De Decker fightbacks to see him through safely to the quarter-finals.
North Wales Chronicle
3 hours ago
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Stephen Bunting battles past Gary Anderson in World Matchplay thriller
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