Noppert spent the first sets in the corner where the blows fell. In a high-level match, it was Humphries who could always go one step faster than his Frisian challenger. He won the first set 3-0 and then he took the set that Noppert started by coming back from a 2-0 deficit.
Danny Noppert beats Gary Anderson and reaches the semi-finals of the World Grand Prix
That in particular was a big blow for the Dutchman. In the third set, Noppert always had incredible difficulty opening his leg with a double – a requirement at the World Grand Prix – so Humphries also took this set quite easily.
Noppert revival
In the fourth set there were signs of recovery for the Frisian and he finally took another leg after losing seven in a row. In the meantime, Humphries loosened the reins a bit and Noppert was able to make it 3-1. Reborn, he continued with a stunning 145 finish in a leg started by the Englishman. But Humphries repaired the damage and then got four sets to finish it off.
Noppert won his own set and then broke back again against Humphries, making it seem like it would be exciting again. Cool Hand Luke then made great use of the short break between sets to boost herself up. With peerless darts he took the eighth set and secured a place in the final.