Michael van Gerwen failed to reach the semi-finals of the Grand Slam of Darts. The three-time winner from Vlijmen lost in Wolverhampton without a chance against the Englishman Luke Humphries. It became 16-10.
Humphries is number 8 in the world; Van Gerwen, not so long ago the world’s best, is the global number 3. That difference was not always visible in the English town.
Englishman more carefully
Van Gerwen averaged 95.99 and Humphries did slightly better with 96.97. The Englishman was especially careful with the throwing. He finished it off with tops, or double-20.
Last year, Van Gerwen also lost in the quarterfinals, then to Michael Smith. (Long time) ‘Mighty Mike’ managed to win the major tournament in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
Raymond van Barneveld managed to reach the last four in Wolverhampton on Friday. ‘Barney’ was responsible for the elimination of title holder Gerwyn Price from Wales 16-13. Van Barneveld, who announced his retirement as a top darts player three years ago, will compete against Smith on Sunday.
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