Luke Humphries will assume the mantle likely now as the favourite to win the
World Matchplay, but 'Cool Hand Luke' was anything but at times against
Dirk van Duijvenbode.
Humphries prevailed in the end 14-12 edging out Van Duijvenbode who missed a match dart and wilted under the pressure from the sixth seed in a similar picture to his European Darts Matchplay final last month.
But Humphries won't care at all sealing it in an epic and will now face Damon Heta for a semi-final spot.
Van Duijvenbode led early on clattering in a 132 checkout on the bull at 3-0 to seal an early lead but Humphries hit back to make it 3-2 despite only hitting 20% on the doubles.
Van Duijvenbode produced a 147 from there to make it 4-2. But suddenly Humphries found himself at 5-5 at the break.
Only to see 'The Titan' reestablish his lead post break as he sealed three legs in a row. Humphries hit his first ton plus checkout of 120 to trail 8-6 but Van Duijvenbode went one away at 10-7 with a ten-darter.
But as ever, the match is never quite won with Van Duijvenbode. He couldn't get a match dart off the 94 and Humphries saved his skin with a 65 on the bull to break and was throwing for 10-10.
Van Duijvenbode found two maximums in a leg though on Humphries' throw. He finally got a match dart off 84 going double 18, double 16 but missed it and Humphries hit 59 to send it to a tiebreak.
Van Duijvenbode produced a show stopping 170 checkout to go one away. He sealed it again to make it 12-11. In a leg he needed to win, Humphries was on 47 after nine and pinned double 16 to make it 12-12.
An 88 checkout gave Humphries a sudden break to go one away at 13-12. He missed 118 for the match
Where can I watch the World Matchplay on TV?
The tournament will be broadcast in full on Sky Sports going between Action and Main Event.
From Saturday, July 15 through Wednesday, July 20, broadcasts will begin around 7 p.m. ET. In addition, on Sunday, July 16, there will be an afternoon session starting at 1 p.m. After the second round, the starting time of the evening sessions moves up one hour.
On Sunday afternoon, July 24, the second edition of the Women's World Matchplay is scheduled to begin at 1:00 pm. Here, eight ladies will compete for the title at the most important women's tournament in the PDC.
How much prize money can be earned at the World Matchplay
After the World Darts Championship, the World Matchplay is the ranking tournament with the largest prize pool at the PDC. A total of 800,000 pounds of prize money is up for grabs at this event.
All 32 participants are guaranteed £10,000 in prize money. This could eventually add up to a check of as much as £200,000 for the darter who gets to lift the Phil Taylor Trophy on Sunday, July 23.