Luke Humphries wins on first night of World Darts Championship as he experiences a stage first at Ally Pally
LUKE HUMPHRIES avoided a Brexit from the World Darts Championship as he sent France’s top player back over the Channel.
The last time a reigning world darts champion lost on the opening night at Ally Pally was Canadian John Part 16 years ago.
But at the scene of his greatest triumph, Cool Hand Luke did not suffer the same fate and progressed to the third round with a 3-0 whitewashing of Frenchman Thibault Tricole.
A seventh consecutive win at the North London Palace was secured in a sweet 16 minutes and he might now face five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld in the Last 32 after the Christmas festivities.
For the first time in his life, Humphries was announced on this famous stage as the “reigning world champion” by MC John McDonald – and he absolutely loved whipping up the crowd during his walk-on music.
I Predict a Riot by Kaiser Chiefs is the tune he picked at the start of the Premier League, given his Leeds United connections, and it is a real fans favourite as Humphries proved when he twirled his hands like a conductor.
The first set was awful and saw plenty of errors from Tricole – who wasted all four of his double attempts – and the world No.1 prevailed by clinching three legs with a lowly 83.50 average.
The second set went his way, too, winning it by three clear legs, and nailing a wonderful 160 checkout.
As his average went up to 90.79, Humphries nailed 81 with a Bull finish and then secured an opening-night victory on double 10.
As any former world champion would say, they just want to get through that opener and not slip on a banana skin.
Humphries, 29, can now go home, toast his family over the dinner table on December 25 and then come back for the real business.
After the match, Humphries said: “It was not the best performance from myself. I didn’t feel like I was that clinical.
“After the walk-on, it took me back, the crowd were so amazing. That was one of the best crowds I have been in a room with.
“They made me feel amazing. I don’t get that very often. All that matters was that I got through.
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“I could have averaged 105 and lost, and then it wouldn’t have mattered. I can come back after Christmas, be at my best and then think about being world champion.
“The best thing I did was change my walk-on. It has given me a new lease of life.
“I love the song, it’s great for the crowd that they know it and can sing it. It has worked in my favour. I enjoy walking out now.”