Humphries battles back to deny Dobey in tie-break thriller to reach World Darts Championship Quarter-Finals for the third time

Luke Humphries is into his third World Darts Championship Quarter-Final in five years after seeing off Chris Dobey in a tie-break thriller in another contender for game of the tournament.

Humphries battled back from 3-1 down and produced some of his best darts when it mattered in the tie-break and the winner of Gary Anderson - Rob Cross now awaits for a semi-final spot.

Humphries began the opening set averaging 112 but succumbed to the first set in a deciding set to Dobey despite ‘Hollywood’ only hitting 91.

While the opening set went the distance, the second set went the way with ease to Dobey who eased in three straight legs to a 2-0 lead as his average went up to 97 and 66% on the doubles.

Finally Humphries was on the board as Dobey missed three darts for a potentially untenable 3-0 lead and this allowed ‘Cool Hand Luke’ to surge through to a 2-1 deficit with eight 180’s and a 101 average. 

Roles reversed though again as Dobey made it 3-1 in sets as Humphries lost a 2-0 lead and ‘Hollywood’ claimed it with an 81 checkout to regain a two-set advantage.

Humphries doubled his lead on return but Dobey pinned double 20 to go 2-1 down and aiming to break to throw for the match. But Humphries pinned a 90 checkout with Dobey on 56 to make it 3-1.

He had the throw in the next set as he looked to make it 3-3 which he began by pinning double 20. A 180 and a 65 checkout on double 16 to make it 1-1.  

Dobey was on 92 to break but Humphries recomposed himself to pin a 68 checkout to make it 2-1. Both player missed the bull but it headed back to Humphries who pinned double eight to make it 3-3 in sets. 

Humphries pinned a 117 from there to break and go 1-0 up. Dobey hit back-to-back 180’s and hit a 56 checkout for an 11-darter to break back as the game had life in it yet.  

He left 32 from a 164 but missed three darts to hold. Humphries returned for 130 but couldn’t get a shot and Dobey hit double four to go one away from the match.  

The Bedlington ace started off superbly and after a slip from Humphries, he had a golden opportunity but let him off and Humphries hit a 140 to leave 56. 

Dobey was there with a 180 to leave double six just in case but Humphries delivered on double four to make it 2-2 and send it to a tiebreak.  

A 114 checkout saw Dobey take initiative. Humphries regrouped with a 180 to begin his throw and he was soon on a nine-dart finish.

But he slung it into the single one before missing a 100 checkout. Humphries pinned double four again to make it 3-3.

Dobey started to capitulate and Humphries hit a 140 to pounce. Humphries left 32 after 12 darts to break and he pinned it to go one away himself where he had the throw. A 177 left Humphries on double 20 and he missed multiple match darts.

But Dobey was not on a finish unless Humphries missed which he did on double two. ‘Hollywood’ had 100 but couldn’t get a shot and Humphries returned for double one.