Luke Humphries has ensured it was a disappointing return to the Netherlands for
Michael van Gerwen. The world champion edging past his rival 6-4 in Rotterdam.
Conditions in Ahoy were far from optimal. Both players were bothered a lot by wind, according to the gestures they both made. It was Humphries who handled that best, he still recorded an average of just over a hundred.
Via a 16-darter in the third leg, Van Gerwen did take a break lead. Mighty Mike' surrendered the break immediately after missing two chances to make it 2-2. A 14-darter and a 106 finish took Humphries to 4-2, before a 16-darter made it 5-2.
Van Gerwen tried to rally, but the Vlijmen native could not get beyond a 15-darter for 3-5 and a 13-darter for 4-5. Humphries then ended the match with a 75 finish.
In the semifinals, Humphries will take on
Nathan Aspinall, who had an easy game against
Peter Wright. The Scot threw an average of just 77. Aspinall recorded 93 average and won easily 6-2.