"If I can keep playing like today, he’s going to be in trouble" - Kevin Doets sends out warning to Luke Humphries after producing sublime display to defeat Aspinall

Kevin Doets has continued his positive form at the PDC World Darts Championship after dumping out Nathan Aspinall 4-3 in an Ally Pally thriller. He described those last two sets played as the 'best of his life' while weighing up his last-16 opponent Luke Humphries.

The Asp was always going to be a tricky customer for Doets, who came into the tie as the second favourite on paper. He did not take any notice of this, fighting back from a set deficit with some incredible darts to make the fourth round for the second consecutive year. "Crazy. It was hard to get going at first, but after the third break, after it went two-all, I felt really comfortable and I had my focus," he said in his press conference. "He made it 3–2 with the 170, but after that I just felt like I couldn’t miss anymore."

Doets has enjoyed a very positive record in his prior appearances at Ally Pally. He made the second round in his debut campaign in 2024, losing out to the reigning world champion Michael Smith while pushing the former world number one all the way. He exerted his revenge the next year on Bully Boy, making it to the fourth round before losing out to Chris Dobey. He has matched this feat from last year, showing off his consistent form at the palace. "I just feel like I can shut my mind off here," Doets stated. "On the tour you play so many games, but this is the one you look forward to all year. When I can shut my mind off like that, I play my best darts."

After going 3-2 down, Doets turned up the gears. He took out some big checkouts including a clutch 164 for the sixth set and utilising double 19 twice for an eye-catching 96 outshot. His average culminated at 97.48, a very solid showing. When asked if those last sets were the best he has played on tv, he answered: "I don’t know what the averages were exactly, but it felt like I couldn’t miss. Those two sets are how I want to play and how I know I can play when I have to. They were probably the best two sets I’ve ever played in my life, maybe on par with what I did against Michael Smith last year."

While he shows what levels he can produce, the Dutchman only sits world number 38, moving up three positions. This is due to his form away from the World Darts Championship not being as strong. "Not yet. I’m pretty patient. The tour is tough — it’s a really hard lifestyle," he admitted. "Last year was a bit disappointing, but I still reached seven or eight quarter-finals. I know I’m going to do better next year."

For now, it is all about converting that form into a longer format. "That focus is something I’ve been trying to work on, but it’s hard without matches like this," he commented. "You only really get that intensity at majors, and I haven’t played many majors this year. That makes it difficult to reproduce."

One of the reasons Doets cannot find his A-game often enough on tour is due to him being away from his family for a lot of the year. "Time away from home. I’ve been around the top 40 for about a year now, and being away from family is really hard," he acknowledged. "I miss my son. Last year I was home maybe 60 to 65 per cent of the time — it’s tough."

However, at the end of the day it is his job, and he has a family to provide for. "This is my job. It’s my future. I want a good future for me and my son, and this helps provide that. The prize money gives security — a house, stability — and that’s what keeps me going."

There have been changes in his personal life, which has seen him have more time to focus on darts. "I’ve been able to practice every day for the last three or four months," he said. "That builds confidence. Practice helps massively in darts — and in any sport."

It does not get much easier for Hawkeye, who will next have to contest with the world number two Luke Humphries. The 2024 world champion was tested by a stunning Gabriel Clemens, but was able to fend him off despite the German playing some scintillating darts and averaging over a ton.

Doets is relishing the upcoming challenge. "Of course. When you play these tournaments, you want to reach the rounds where you face the top players," he said. "All I can say is, if I play like I did in those last two sets, he’s going to have a tough time."

After describing Kenyan darter David Munyua as his dream opponent, he had the opposite answer for Humphries. "The worst — him and Luke Littler," he emphatically stated. "But this is the last 16 of the World Championship, so there are no easy opponents. If I can keep playing like today, he’s going to be in trouble."

He was adamant that a fast start would keep him in the tie. "It’s one of the most important things. You can’t let him run away with it. If he goes 3–0 up, with his experience, he won’t lose. I have to start strong."

On stage, Doets said that Cool Hand Luke was the best player in the world, seemingly overlooking world number one and current world champion Luke Littler. Doets gave the 18-year-old his flowers. "I didn’t mean it exactly like that. Right now, Luke Littler is the best player in the world. But when I came into the PDC, Humphries was winning everything, so I’ve always looked up to him. On stage, though, it doesn’t matter — I’m trying to beat whoever’s in front of me," he concluded.