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World number two Luke Humphries is out of the World Series after a first-round loss to Scotland’s Cameron Menzies.
The former world champion was penalized for some poor finishing and lost his first six legs with the dart before finally throwing.
Humphries threatened a dramatic comeback, winning four legs on the spin to go back to 8-7 but Menzies reeled in the ‘big fish’ to seal a stunning 10-7 win in style – a maximum 170 checkout.
The result will come as a huge disappointment to Humphries after he showed signs of returning to top form – Beats Luke Littler to win US Darts Masters June – After a slow start to the year in the last few months.
But for Menzies, ranked 27th in the world, it was an important victory and one he said he would “take to his grave” as he became only the second unseeded player to advance to this year’s tournament.
The Scot will now face 15th seed Ross Smith after the Englishman’s 10-6 win over Netherlands’ Kevin Deutz in the second round on Wednesday.
Both players averaged over 100 and managed over 50% in doubles in a high-quality match but Smith struck when it mattered most to progress.
Meanwhile, Gerwin Price survived a scare before overcoming Germany’s Martin Schindler 11-9.
After falling behind 4-0 and 6-2 the Welshman admitted it was “probably something I should have lost”.
Even after fighting back to take his first lead at 9-8, Price was forced to work to close it out as the seventh seed eventually sealed a 20th leg win before Schindler stormed back to a 121 checkout.
