Humphries Suffers Shock Defeat In Blackpool

World number 1 and defending champion Luke Humphries suffered a daze conclusion successful nan opening information of nan World Matchplay successful Blackpool.

Humphries mislaid 10-8 to world younker champion Gian van Veen astatine nan Winter Gardens pinch nan 23-year-old Dutchman describing it arsenic "the biggest triumph of my career".

Humphries, who lifted nan title 12 months agone aft beating Michael van Gerwen, had been aiming to go conscionable nan 4th subordinate to triumph back-to-back titles.

But Van Veen, who had six lucifer darts earlier being beaten successful a sudden-death limb connected his debut past twelvemonth by Rob Cross, started strongly, winning nan opening 2 legs of nan best-of-19-leg encounter.

And though Humphries took nan adjacent three, nan 30-year-old struggled pinch his doubles throughout.

Van Veen edged 5-3 up only for Humphries to deed backmost again and spell 7-6 up but a tense 15th limb won by Van Veen saw him return a cardinal 8-7 advantage and, contempt seeing a mates of lucifer darts travel and spell successful limb 17 to bring backmost memories of 12 months ago, he sealed nan triumph successful nan adjacent leg.

"To hit specified a phenomenal subordinate for illustration Luke, I americium complete nan moon," Van Veen told Sky Sports. "He is simply a awesome champion and a awesome guy.

"At 6-6 and 7-7, I felt nan unit but I was happy I could support up. Luke missed immoderate chances but I took excavation and it intends truthful much."

Van Veen's reward is simply a gathering pinch compatriot Danny Noppert, who had a comfortable 10-2 triumph complete Scottish debutant Cameron Menzies.

Earlier, erstwhile champion James Wade came done 10-3 against Joe Cullen.