2024 World Matchplay: Luke Humphries Gets Revenge on Dimitri Van den Bergh

Reigning world champion and number one seed, Luke Humphries faced off against former World Matchplay champion Dimitri Van den Bergh in the second quarterfinal of the competition. 

Both players experienced fluctuating arrows, with Humphries rapidly regaining his footing. 

With the match level at five legs each and both players having recorded five 180s, the contest was tightly balanced as they approached the second interval.

The subsequent four legs mirrored each other, bringing the score to 7-7. 

Although Humphries dominated the first three legs without a reply, Van den Bergh responded with four consecutive legs of his own, unexpectedly taking a 4-3 lead. 

After a strong start from Humphries, the Belgian raised his game significantly, matching the world champion's intensity in a manner reminiscent of their UK Open final clash earlier in the year. 

Both players experienced fluctuating arrows, with Humphries rapidly regaining his footing. 

With the match level at five legs each and both players having recorded five 180s, the contest was tightly balanced as they approached the second interval.

The subsequent four legs mirrored each other, bringing the score to 7-7. 

In the 15th leg, Humphries delivered a moment of brilliance, throwing six perfect darts to secure a 10-dart break of throw and take an 8-7 lead. 

Humphries capitalised on the pressure after exchanging the next two legs, hitting a stunning 115 three-dart finish to gain a two-leg lead for the first time since his initial 2-0 advantage, bringing the score to 10-8.

This two-leg cushion remained intact as they approached the third interval, although Humphries should have extended his lead further. At this point, he led Van den Bergh 11-9 in their race to 16 legs.

Image credit: PDC

Much like in the 2024 UK Open final, Van den Bergh tried to slow the game to disrupt Humphries' rhythm and momentum. However, the Leeds United fan remained unfazed, regaining his two-leg cushion and even adding a touch of flair by mimicking his opponent's earlier shoulder shrug celebration. 

As Van den Bergh began to falter, Humphries pressed on, winning the next two legs and taking a commanding 14-10 lead with the match well within his grasp.