Luke Humphries sends warning to Gary Anderson: ''He's probably going to have to play like he did against Gerwyn Price again''

After another blistering performance, Luke Humphries overcame the challenge of Ryan Searle (10-7), to march into the quarter-finals of the Grand Slam of Darts for the second time in his career.

Averaging 105.42 with nine maximums and 37% on the doubles, Humphries sent a warning to the rest of his title rivals. “That was a really tough game to play,” reflected the recent World Grand Prix champion in his post-match interview. “I felt really good there. I probably could have been 8-2 up but I wasn’t, and that’s just testament to how good Ryan is, because he pushes you."

Despite Humphries' brilliance, Searle, who'd qualified for the knockout stages with a stunning nine-dart leg, more than held his own and 'Cool Hand Luke' had plenty of praise for his good friend. "Ryan is one of the elite players in my opinion," says Humphries. "I know what he is capable of, so when he started coming back at me there, I started to get a little worried!”

After completing the job though, Searle's practice partner, Gary Anderson lies in wait for Humphries. Having already beaten the Scotsman in the group stage, Humphries is understandably confident, as he revealed in his post-match press conference.

"He's probably going to have to play like he did against Gerwyn Price again on Friday against me," Humphries warns. "These are the games that I get up for you know. I really get excited about being in the latter stages of major tournaments, playing against the best players in the world."

"I rate Gary as one of the best players that has ever been," Humphries concludes, full of praise. "So I'll be looking forward to that tie."