Luke Humphries is through to the World Grand Prix semi-finals after a 3-1 victory over Jonny Clayton in Leicester, on a night James Wade and Rob Cross were knocked out.
Despite passing up set darts in the third leg of the opening set, the world No 1 still raced to claim it 3-1 in no time.
Welshman Clayton broke Humphries early in the second set, as the world champion missed a number of shots at double to take the opening leg, with Clayton then holding throw to move to 2-0, levelling the match up in sets when showing nerve to hold again for 3-1.
The Ferret broke Humphries again in the second leg of the third set, and missed two set darts for 3-0 to move 2-1 ahead in the quarter-final before Humphries produced a sensational 146 checkout.
From there, Humphries stormed to the set himself, moving one away from the semi-finals, and though he missed three match darts in the fourth set, he put that out of his mind to win the deciding leg and claim the match.
Humphries will play Ryan Joyce in the semi-finals, after the latter beat former world champion Rob Cross 3-2 in a tight clash on the same evening.
The victory means 39-year-old Newcastle native Joyce will contest just a second-ever televised semi-final in his career.
Earlier, James Wade was shocked by Gary Anderson-conqueror Mike De Decker 3-0, as the 28-year-old Belgian put in another measured, impressive performance.
De Decker: I’m doing right things at right moment
Mike Decker speaking to Sky Sports Darts…
“If you hit doubles you win. That’s the winning formula!
“I maybe look relaxed but I’m really nervous but it’s going well and at the right moment I’m doing the right things.
“I’m happy, everything is going well and onto the next round. I will be cheering on Dimitri (Van den Bergh). Me and him are good friends, so if I don’t win I hope he does.”
Watch the World Grand Prix semi-finals in Leicester on Saturday at 8.30pm on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports+. Stream the darts and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime
