Humphries beats Wattimena to reach World Grand Prix quarters

Luke Humphries beat Jermaine Wattimena 3-0 on Thursday to reach the quarter-finals of the World Grand Prix in Leicester, where he is scheduled to face debutant Niels Zonneveld on Friday. The 2023 champion took control after Wattimena had chances to win the opening set, then won the next two to secure the match. Humphries said afterward that his performance was better than in his opening-round win over Dave Chisnall, though he described the contest as closer than the scoreline suggested. He hit three 180s and recorded a highest checkout of 129, according to match reports. Humphries said he had not been practicing as much as he believed he should. In post-match comments, he said he had repeatedly planned to practice after going home but had not followed through. He also said his seasonal average was the best of his career and that missed opportunities in crucial moments, rather than his overall performances, had contributed to the absence of a major title in recent months. Those assessments were his own. His next opponent, Zonneveld, reached the last eight by beating Gary Anderson 3-1, extending the Dutch player’s run in his first World Grand Prix.