Gerwyn Price and Luke Humphries progress at German Darts Grand Prix as favourites struggle
- Planet Sport writer
- 10 April 2023
Gerwyn Price began his bid for a third consecutive European Tour title with victory over Raymond van Barneveld, while reigning champion Luke Humphries also impressed at the German Darts Grand Prix.
Day Two of the year's fourth European Tour event saw Price and Humphries amongst the big winners on Easter Sunday in Munich, as six seeds crashed out during an action-packed day at the Zenith Kulturhalle.
Price, fresh from back-to-back wins at the European Darts Open and International Darts Open, produced another ton-topping average in his 6-2 success against Dutch icon Van Barneveld.
The opening four legs of the contest were shared, but Price upped the ante in the latter stages, reeling off four consecutive legs to set up a third round showdown against World Champion Michael Smith.
Smith survived three missed match darts in his deciding-leg tussle against Sheffield-based teacher Adam Warner, before sealing his progress with a nerveless 116 combination on tops.
Elsewhere, Humphries enjoyed a winning return to the European Tour after missing the last two events through illness, averaging 99 in his 6-2 rout of Jeffrey de Zwaan.
Humphries drew first blood with a two-dart 98 outshot, and that set the tone for a classy display, which featured a brace of 11-darters from the top seed.
However, the biggest upset of the day saw Lee Evans race through to round three with a 6-1 success against world number two Peter Wright.
Wright returned to form in the Cazoo Premier League on Thursday, but he was sent crashing back down to earth by Evans, who won six straight legs to book a tie against Joe Cullen on Monday.
Cullen was overcome with emotion after accounting for Ross Smith in a last-leg thriller, defying a ton-plus average and six 180s from the European Champion to clinch his place at Finals Day.
UK Open champion Andrew Gilding stormed through to the last 16 with a 6-1 demolition of Jonny Clayton, averaging almost 103 and converting all six of his attempts at double.
Gilding - who sealed victory with a fabulous 160 finish - will play fourth seed Dave Chisnall in round three, after the St Helens star recovered from 4-2 down to deny Host Nation Qualifier Dragutin Horvat.
It was a disappointing day for the quartet of German representatives in Munich, with Martin Schindler, Gabriel Clemens and Liam Maendl-Lawrance joining Horvat in exiting the tournament.
Schindler - a semi-finalist in Riesa last weekend - succumbed 6-1 to Jim Williams, with the Welshman conjuring up a magical 167 checkout en route to a comprehensive victory.
World Championship semi-finalist Clemens was beaten 6-3 by second seed Damon Heta, who landed a brace of ton-plus finishes to set up an intriguing clash against Masters champion Chris Dobey.
The Bedlington thrower kicked off Sunday evening's action in style, firing in a brilliant 121 finish on the bull to dispatch his Premier League rival Dimitri Van den Bergh 6-2.
Meanwhile, Maendl-Lawrance was edged out by Danny Noppert for the second week in succession, as the former UK Open champion prevailed in a gruelling last-leg tie.
The Dutchman will now face his compatriot Dirk van Duijvenbode, who landed seven 180s and converted a stunning 148 checkout in his quick-fire 6-3 victory over Callan Rydz.
Nathan Aspinall capitalised on a profligate display from Cameron Menzies to book his place in Monday's third round, averaging 96 and crashing in four maximums to triumph 6-3.
Earlier in the day, Berry van Peer moved through to the last 16 of a European Tour event for the first time, producing another accomplished display of finishing in his 6-3 defeat of Josh Rock.
Van Peer will play Keane Barry for a place in the last eight, after the Irish youngster defied a ton-plus average from third seed Rob Cross to secure a maiden victory over the 2018 World Champion.
Meanwhile, Jose de Sousa maintained his 100% record against Steve Beaton, winning five straight legs from 2-1 adrift to triumph in a battle of the former European Tour winners.
Price, Humphries and Smith will be among the stars in last 16 action on Monday afternoon, before the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final take place in a bumper evening session at the Zenith Kulturhalle.
2023 Interwetten German Darts Grand Prix Second Round
Afternoon session
Evening session
