Luke Humphries shocks defending champion Rob Cross to reach PDC World Championship quarter-final
Defending champion Rob Cross became the latest big name to suffer a shock defeat at the PDC World Championship on Friday night as he was beaten in the fourth round by world number 90 Luke Humphries.
23-year-old Humphries looked in dire straits after losing the opening two sets to the world number two, but then turned in an incredible display to win the next four sets and the match.
James Wade stunned by Ryan Joyce at PDC World Darts Championship
Finishing the match with an average of 99.7 and a checkout ratio of 40%, Humphries showed that he very much belongs among the games elite, despite being a relative unknown going into the tournament.
His unlikely run to the quarter-finals at Alexanda Palace will now see him face Michael Smith in the last eight after handing Cross his first ever loss at Alexandra Palace.
Cross made a blistering start to the game, averaging 104.8 as he won the first set 3-0, then capitalised on Cool Hand Luke missing doubles in the second to nick it and go 2-0 ahead.
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The odds were very firmly in the favour of Voltage at this stage, but Humphries was not to be discouraged, averaging over 106 in the third set and winning it without missing a double.
From there on in, Cross just couldnt find his best form, while the youngster belied his lack of experience to go through the gears as the game went on.
The fourth set was scrappy, but Humphries averaged over 101 to win the fifth set (going ahead for the first time) and over 102 in the sixth to claim a famous victory.
Earlier in the evening, Dave Chisnall continued his impressive form at the World Championship, averaging 98.5 to wallop Jamie Lewis 4-0.
Chizzy pinned eight 180s over the contest and rarely looked in trouble over a comfortable victory which sets up a quarter-final tie with Gary Anderson.
Michael Smith also looked relatively unflustered as he saw off Ryan Searle 4-1, putting an end to Searles superb debut in the tournament.
Bully Boy averaged 99.7, nailed 10 maximums and checked out at 48% in a performance that would trouble anyone in the sport.
Smith now takes on Humphries for a place in the semi-final.
Friday PDC World Championship Results
Evening
Rob Cross 2-4 Luke Humphries
Jamie Lewis 0-4 Dave Chisnall
Ryan Searle 1-4 Michael Smith
Afternoon
Ryan Joyce 4-3 James Wade
Benito van de Pas 1-4 Brendan Dolan
Nathan Aspinall 4-3 Devon Petersen
MORE: Debutant Nathan Aspinall into PDC World Championship quarter-final after ousting Devon Petersen
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