Schedule World Grand Prix 2024: Humphries-Clayton headlines Quarter-Final line-up in Leicester

Friday, 11 October 2024 at 19:06

Eight men are still in the race for the title at the 2024 World Grand Prix. Friday night it's time for the quarterfinals for the double-in double-out tournament in Leicester. Read our preview here.

This tournament is a unique event on the PDC calendar. The World Grand Prix is the only tournament where the legs are started and ended with a double. Because of this format, the World Grand Prix is known for its surprises, with often early eliminations of big names.

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Mike De Decker v James Wade

The World Grand Prix is, for now, the tournament of Mike de Decker's big breakthrough. After he already eliminated Damon Heta in the first round, darts legend Gary Anderson was floored in the last sixteen. The two-time world champion was dismissed 3-0 in sets by 'The Real Deal'. It is the first time in his career for De Decker to be in the last eight at a major.

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After a semifinal place at the World Matchplay, James Wade is now also in the quarterfinals of the World Grand Prix. The left-handed darter did so by scoring these fine victories. First he defeated Peter Wright 2-1 in sets and then Wade was too strong for Gerwyn Price 3-0 in sets. It was only the first time since 2014 that Wade was in the quarterfinals at this event.

De Decker can boast a pretty good record against Wade. The Belgian managed to win three of the previous six duels. However, the only showdown in 2024 was won by Wade.

Rob Cross v Ryan Joyce

Two men who have never been in the quarterfinals of the World Grand Prix will now also get the chance to reach the semifinals for the first time. Cross has already won as many matches at this tournament as in his seven previous participations combined. 'Voltage' managed to join the last eight by beating Luke Littler (2-1) and Martin Schindler (3-1).

Ryan Joyce proved once again this week that he is a threat to all the top players. 'Relentless' is razor sharp on the doubles and so this tournament is tailor-made for him. In the first two rounds he sent Josh Rock (2-0) and Nathan Aspinall (3-2) home.

However, it has been more than five years since Joyce last won a match from Cross. In the head-to-head, the former world champion leads 8-2.

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Luke Humphries v Jonny Clayton

Luke Humphries is the last title favorite still in the tournament. 'Cool Hand Luke' already saw rivals Michael Smith, Michael van Gerwen, Dave Chisnall, Gerwyn Price, Luke Littler and Gary Anderson fall away. Humphries was not far off either, as the Englishman survived a matchdart in his first round match against Stephen Bunting (2-1). In the second round, Humphries dealt with Ricardo Pietreczko (3-1).

At the last eight, the world number one will take on Jonny Clayton. 'The Ferret,' winner of this tournament in 2021, first won comfortably from Ritchie Edhouse (2-0) and then overcame a set deficit against Ross Smith (3-1).

The balance between them is 6-2 in Clayton's favor, although it should be noted that Clayton won five consecutive times over Humphries in the 2018-2021 period. 'Cool Hand Luke' won two of the last three clashes.

Joe Cullen v Dimitri Van den Bergh

The final quarterfinal of this World Grand Prix will be between Joe Cullen and Dimitri van den Bergh. 'The Rockstar' had traveled to Leicester without good form, but boosted his self-confidence with victories over Chris Dobey (2-1) and Daryl Gurney (3-2).

Van den Bergh proved the better in a high-profile first-round match against Luke Woodhouse (2-1) and was responsible for eliminating Dave Chisnall (3-1) in the second round. Both men have been in the quarterfinals of the World Grand Prix before. Cullen did so in 2020 and 2023, while Van den Bergh previously reached the last eight in 2022.

The last time Cullen and Van den Bergh met at a PDC tournament was more than two years ago. In August 2022, Van den Bergh won the last showdown 6-5. In the head-to-head, Cullen does lead 6-3.

TV Guide

In the Netherlands, the event will be broadcast by Viaplay, while VTM 2 is the broadcaster in Belgium. On Oct. 7 and 8, broadcasts begin at 7 p.m.. The start times advance to 8 p.m. on Oct. 9, 10 and 11. On Saturday, Oct. 12, the semi-finals begin at 8:30 p.m. and the finals on Sunday, Oct. 13, start from 9:00 p.m.

Distribution of prize money

All participating players are guaranteed £7500 in starting money. Second-round losers receive £15,000. The quarter-finalists go home with at least £25,000, the semi-finalists almost one and a half times as much (£40,000). The losing finalist receives a check for £60,000 and the winner receives the grand prize of £120,000.

Format

First round: Best of 3 sets

Second round: Best of 5 sets

Quarterfinals: Best of 5 sets

Semifinals: Best of 9 sets

Final: Best of 11 sets