Luke Humphries battles past Damon Heta for quarterfinal spot in Minehead

Luke Humphries has advanced to the last eight at the 2024 Players Championship Finals, following the lead of other title favourite Luke Littler. 'Cool Hand Luke' recorded a solid 10-6 victory over Damon Heta for a spot in the quarter-finals of the major tournament in Minehead.

Especially the beginning of the match was difficult for Humphries, who had to face a break deficit. Heta broke the reigning world champion in the first leg with a 12-darter and then took a 2-0 lead with a 48 finish. Moments later, it was also 3-1 for the Australian, after a 16-darter in the fourth leg. Humphries then closed to 2-3 with a 14-darter before 'Cool Hand Luke' finally turned the deficit around in the second session.

The world number one threw an 81 finish in the sixth leg and then a 14-darter in leg seven to take the lead for the first time in the match. With two good legs, Humphries then ran out to a 6-3 lead. Heta then narrowly kept himself in the match with an 80 finish.

The difference of two to three legs remained in place for some time after that, until Heta missed one chance in the sixteenth to make it 6-9. That immediately cost 'The Heat'. Humphies hit the double 2 to put a 10-6 final score on the scoreboard.

Sunday afternoon, the Players Championship Finals continues with the quarterfinals. Humphries will then play Ryan Joyce, while Connor Scutt and Dirk van Duijvenbode are also on the same side of the bracket. Luke Littler is in the other half of the schedule. 'The Nuke' crosses swords with Mike de Decker. Also competing for a spot in the final four are Ross Smith and Scott Williams. The semi-finals and final will take place on Sunday evening, as well as the final of the PDC World Youth Championship between Gian van Veen and Jurjen van der Velde.