LUKE HUMPHRIES sensationally knocked defending William Hill World Darts Champion Rob Cross out of the tournament to reach the quarter-finals at Alexandra Palace.
Humphries, who has topped the PDC Unicorn Development Tour Order of Merit in each of the last two years, came from two sets behind to send second seed Cross crashing out on Friday.
Successive checkouts of 106 and 107 set Cross on his way to taking the first set comfortably, winning three legs without reply.
The defending champion then added a 116 finish on his way to edging the second set 3-2.
Humphries took out 115 to seal the third set 3-1, before three 15-darters saw him take the third set 3-1.
The Newbury talent finished 114 and 64 on the way to a 3-1 success in the following set to level up the contest, before winning the fifth set by the same margin to take the lead.
Cross took a 2-0 lead in set six but a brilliant 11-darter sparked on run of three legs for Humphries, as he inflicted Cross' first ever defeat on the Ally Pally stage.
Match Stats
Averages:
Cross - 97.39
Humphries - 99.71
180s:
Cross - 5
Humphries - 7
Highest Finish:
Cross - 116
Humphries - 115
100+ Checkouts:
Cross - 3
Humphries - 2
Finishing:
Cross - 11/28
Humphries - 14/35
