Luke Humphries handed first round exit by Jeffrey de Graaf as Players Championship 25 gets underway

Wednesday, 02 October 2024 at 14:30

Jeffrey de Graaf has caused a huge shock this Wednesday by defeating Luke Humphries in the first round of Players Championship 25. The Swedish Dutchman won 6-3 over the reigning world champion.

De Graaf took advantage of the many doubles Humphries left unused. An important moment was the third leg, in which 'Cool Hand Luke' had three turns to take a 2-1 lead. Humphries missed those chances, after which De Graaf scored a 19-darter for a break. In the fourth leg, Humphries missed two more doubles. De Graaf then threw out 76 to take a 3-1 lead. In the eighth leg there were still chances for Humphries to get a rebreak, but the Englishman could not throw out 75. De Graaf then made it 5-3 with a 48 finish and ended the match with a 13-darter.

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In addition to Humphries, three other players from the top-16 seeds were eliminated. Josh Rock went down 6-5 to Robert Owen, while Ryan Searle was defeated by Ian White (6-4). Ross Smith was eliminated by Tim Wolters (6-3).

Elsewhere, Vincent van der Voort offered teenage sensation Luke Littler good opposition, but still went down 6-4. There have also been victories for the likes of Dave Chisnall, Daryl Gurney and others already.