Luke Humphries and Mike De Decker set up World Grand Prix final clash
Luke Humphries celebrates (Photo by Simon O’Connor/PDC)
Luke Humphries and Mike De Decker will face off in the 2024 World Grand Prix final after powering past Ryan Joyce and Dimitri van den Bergh in Saturday’s semi-finals.
Humphries roared into a second successive final in Leicester to remain on course for an emphatic title defence, while De Decker continued his ground-breaking run into a first PDC major final.
Humphries recorded a ruthless 5-0 whitewash of Joyce, dropping just three legs in a display which saw him average 100.3, land eight 180s and four ton-plus checkouts.
The world number one converted 60 per cent of his attempts at finishing doubles and 47 per cent of starting doubles as he defied a superb display from Joyce – who averaged 94 and pinned 64 per cent of his starting doubles.
Humphries raced to the opening set without reply, and though Joyce landed two 12-darters to lead in set two, it was the reigning champion who took the next three legs – including a 112 checkout for a 12-dart break of throw – to double his advantage.
Joyce produced an 11-darter to pull back to 2-1 in the third set, but Humphries moved 3-0 up thanks to a blistering 144 checkout and bettered that with a 146 finish, before landing a 110 checkout to sweep through the final two sets without reply.
“It felt special – 5-0 is quite flattering and it takes two to tango,” said Humphries. “It was a performance which was very much needed – Ryan was brilliant himself there.
“I had to play that well but I am capable of these big performances and I believe in myself in these big moments.
“I relaxed a lot more tonight and I played my best, so if I do that tomorrow it could be an absolutely fantastic game because Mike’s playing well also.
“I think it’s a dream final, it really is. We’ve had so many battles and it’s going to be a good game. Mike’s playing well and I know I’m going to have to be at my best again.”
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De Decker progressed to a maiden televised final following a commanding 5-2 win over Belgian compatriot Dimitri van den Bergh.
UK Open champion Van den Bergh coasted to the opening set without reply, but De Decker soon found his range to reel off three consecutive sets and take control of the contest.
The second set went to a deciding leg as De Decker levelled up, before clinching a further six straight legs – denying Van den Bergh a dart at a double in the game’s fourth set as he opened up a 3-1 advantage.
Van den Bergh began set five with a sensational 170 checkout, with De Decker responding with two bullseyes to complete a 120 combination before the former Premier League star completed legs of 13 and 14 darts to seal the set.
De Decker, though, fired in a huge 150 checkout in set six, which was sandwiched by a brace of double 16 finishes as he moved 4-2 in front.
Van den Bergh took the opening leg of set seven, but missed doubles proved costly as De Decker edged ahead before completing a 13-darter to seal a memorable triumph.
De Decker has dropped just three sets in four matches to become the first Belgian to reach the World Grand Prix final, having seen off Damon Heta, Gary Anderson and James Wade during a landmark week at the Mattioli Arena.
“I’m over the moon – really, really happy,” said De Decker. “In the beginning of the game I was really nervous.
“There’s been so much attention on this game and when I took the second set I relaxed, knowing that I can still play.
“Dimitri had a couple of sets where he wasn’t starting off and I took advantage.
“I’m loving the feeling of winning, the crowd have given me so much support and I’m really looking forward to tomorrow.”
