Key Highlights
- Michael Smith overcame 11 missed match darts from Chris Dobey to win a tough match and secure a spot in the quarter-finals.
- Luke Humphries battled through injury to defeat Jurjen van der Velde with a dominant performance, setting up a showdown against Michael Smith.
- Gerwyn Price also secured his place in the next round by defeating Martin Schindler with a strong showing despite initial struggles.
Michael Smith Survives Dramatic Match Against Chris Dobey
In a thrilling encounter at the Grand Slam of Darts 2025, Michael Smith demonstrated remarkable resilience to secure an 11-9 victory over Chris Dobey. The match featured 18 missed match darts between the two players, with Dobey leading initially but ultimately falling short as Smith capitalized on crucial moments.
Smith’s comeback journey began when he trailed in the early stages of the match. Despite facing a daunting task, Smith managed to level the game at five legs apiece. A tense final leg saw both players missing multiple match darts before D4 eventually gave Michael Smith the decisive edge and a spot in the quarter-finals.
Michael Smith on His Comeback
“I won’t say he didn’t want it,” said Smith, referring to Dobey. “Something happened, and he kept missing. I was thankful for that. I should never have been in that match or been in front, but I will take it.”
Luke Humphries Battles Through Injured Throwing Arm
World No 1 Luke Humphries showcased remarkable grit to overcome a suspected back spasm and defeat Jurjen van der Velde with a 10-3 victory. Humphries’ performance was marked by consistent throwing accuracy, despite the pain he endured throughout the match.
“I woke up this morning and couldn’t lift my head off the pillow,” Humphries admitted. “I had a back spasm that almost made me pull out of the tournament. I think adrenaline got me over the line and I’m just a fighter.”
Luke Humphries’ Match Recap
Humphries quickly gained control of the match, establishing an early 5-0 lead with a perfect 10-darter performance. Van der Velde managed to score one leg but could not close the gap as Humphries maintained his dominance in the final stages.
Other Key Matches
In other matches, Gerwyn Price showed his class against Martin Schindler with a commanding 10-6 victory. Price faced initial challenges but regained control to secure an impressive win and advance to the next round.
The quarter-finals will see Michael Smith face Luke Humphries in a highly anticipated matchup, while Ricky Evans awaits a tough challenge against Gerwyn Price after his narrow 10-9 victory over Luke Woodhouse.
Upcoming Matches
The Grand Slam of Darts continues on Thursday with the second round featuring several exciting matchups. Fans can look forward to matches involving Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen, and Josh Rock as they vie for their respective quarter-final spots starting at 7pm on Sky Sports+.
