Cool Hand Luke Humphries ice cold under pressure to derail Gary Anderson in gripping Grand Slam of Darts quarter-final

After a truly gripping contest, Luke Humphries advanced to the semifinals at the Grand Slam of Darts at the expense of Gary Anderson. 'Cool Hand Luke' was ice cold under pressure, overcoming an early deficit and a late comeback from Anderson.

Early in the match, it was Anderson who was punching the clock. Including a 12-darter, 13-darter and two 14-darters, the Scot managed to take a 5-1 lead. Anderson threw out 79 and 114 to come back to 3-5, before Anderson managed to finish 128 to make it 6-3. Humphries then again reduced the deficit with a 14-darter.

After the break, Anderson again extended the lead further via a 12-darter and a 15-darter for 8-4. Humphries then turned on the turbo for a moment. With two 12-darters, a 120 finish and a 76 check-out, "Cool Hand Luke" returned to 8-8. Before the final break, Humphries took over the lead by throwing out 84 for an 11-9 lead.

After the final break, Humphries looked to deliver the final blow with a 48 check-out for 12-9, but then Anderson hit back with a fine comeback. A 132 finish and a 131 check-out allowed "The Flying Scotsman" to level the match in the 26th leg. When Anderson also hit 70 for a 14-13 lead, the two-time world champion was close to a place in the semifinals.

But Humphries also overcame this gap. A 13-darter by Humphries made it 14-14, then he took over the lead with a 12-darter for a break. After Anderson was not out in five innings in the 30th leg, it was over and out. Humphries decided the match with a 16-14, leaving 'Cool Hand Luke' still up for a second major title this season.

On Sunday afternoon, Humphries will take on James Wade, who settled with Josh Rock after a thriller, in the semifinals. The other two quarterfinals are on Saturday night. Stephen Bunting meets Stowe Buntz, while Rob Cross crosses swords with Damon Heta.