07/03/2021

Humphries moves through to maiden major semi-final at UK Open with deciding leg thriller win over Chisnall

Luke Humphries has moved through to his first major semi-final at the 2021 UK Open after a thrilling deciding leg win over Dave Chisnall.

Humphries came from 9-7 down to force a decider which he claimed to see off the St Helens ace with a 99 average and six 180's.

'Cool Hand Luke' played one less game due to Justin Pipe's positive Covid test and has took his chance to reach this point in Milton Keynes but how far can he go?

Prize Money breakdown for the 2021 UK Open Darts with £450,000 on offer

TV Guide ITV 4 for UK Open 2021

Chisnall produced a superb start to proceedings hitting a 110 checkout for an immediate break of throw. The St Helens ace backed it up with a 96 checkout to double his lead.

But Humphries got settled into the tie and hit the front at 3-2 up. Both returned from the break to pin 180's with Humphries down to 87 on the Chisnall throw.

It was four legs on the spin for the Newbury ace as he picked out double eight to go 4-2 up with another break.

An 80 checkout made it five legs on the spin with a 104 average as he went 5-2 up. He pinned double 10 to hold once more and go 6-3 up.

Chisnall though produced a flash of brilliance in 153 to make it 6-4 to keep himself in the tie.

When they returned though, missed darts at doubles were the name of the game for Humphries missing three at doubles and Chisnall fired in a fourth 180 and double 10 to trail 6-5.

He followed up that break with a hold before Humphries finally stopped the rot of sorts. He put pressure on Chisnall to hit 88 and he duly delivered on double 14 to make it 7-7.

145 left 65 though for Humphries only for Chisnall to smash in a 155 checkout on double 19 to lead 8-7 and break.

Three costly missed darts at doubles from Humphries allowed Chizzy back and he delighted with a 100 checkout on tops, tops to make it 9-7.

Humphries remained in contention with a 60 checkout at 9-8 behind but needed to break to send it all the way.

A 180 to leave 81 saw Humphries get the break he needed to send it all the way with Chisnall not on a finish and he left it handy on double eight.

He pinned the target first time around to put it to a decider where he'd have the throw. Chisnall couldn't get the trebles needed to contend and Humphries hit 134 to leave 71.

He missed a match dart on double 20 but returned with Chisnall not able to muster an effort at 160. Double 10 was pinned though by Humphries to move through.