Grand Slam of Darts 2025: Michael Smith sets up showdown with Luke Humphries after surviving 11 match darts from Chris Dobey

Michael Smith’s remarkable comeback continues after he pulled off an almighty comeback and survived 11 missed match darts from Chris Dobey to round off a 10-9 win, setting up a quarter-final with world No 1 Luke Humphries.

Smith has been plagued with injuries and arthritis but is finally getting his reward at the tournament that started it all for him back in 2022.

There was nothing separating the two in the first five legs, all the legs going with the throw as ‘Hollywood’ took a 3-2 lead.

Dobey then found daylight with a crucial break of throw but ‘Bullyboy’ did not back down and clinched an incredible 164 on the bull to level the game at 5-5.

The fight was then evident from the St Helens man as he found a double, double finish, 86 checkout on the bull, then took out 68 on tops to move two legs from a huge moment.

Dobey then eventually finished off a nervy leg to break the throw and level the game at 8-8 but Smith hit straight back with a break of his own to put himself one leg away, the 2022 Grand Slam champion missing a match dart to allow the Newcastle man to level the game at 9-9.

It was then an incredible final leg from the pair that rained T20s in which they missed a ludicrous 20 match darts between them, D4 eventually giving Smith the game.

He now plays Humphries in the quarter-finals after he cruised to a 10-3 victory against former World Youth Championship finalist Jurjen van der Velde, who enjoyed his moment on the big stage on debut.

Humphries came into the match nursing a suspected back spasm on his throwing arm, but it showed no signs of affecting his throw, the world No 1 wincing at points but battling through as he was 5-0 up in no time with a 10-darter, 83 per cent success rate on the doubles, and a staggering 117.42 average in the first session.

Van der Velde eventually got a consolatory leg on the board to bring the score to 7-1 and took his moment, lapping up the applause from the crowd. Another leg then came in the 10th as he clinched D8 once again with a smile on his face, a sensational 164 on the bull rounding off his electric moments.

The show from Van der Velde only stopped ‘Cool Hand’ for a little while though, the 2023 Grand Slam champion getting back to business and eventually wrapping up the win on tops.

While Humphries put on a staggering show, he admitted he was in “crippling pain” and thought he could have to pull out of the tournament.

“I have no idea how I made that happen. When I woke up this morning, I couldn’t lift my head off the pillow,” Humphries told Sky Sports.

“I think I had a back spasm. I was thinking I might have to pull out today, my back was so bad.

“I’ve got to thank Mandy, my physio, who spent three hours massaging it. I think adrenaline got me over the line.

“I guess I’m just a fighter. I surprise myself sometimes. From almost having to pull out this morning to playing like that – it’s something special.”

More to follow…

What’s coming up on Thursday?

Thursday concludes the last 16 with four second-round matches including Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen, and Josh Rock all vying for quarter-final spots.

Thursday November 13 1900 (Sky Sports + and Sky Sports Main Event)
4x Second Round (best of 19 legs)

Lukas Wenig v Niko Springer
Josh Rock v Connor Scutt
Luke Littler v Wessel Nijman
Michael van Gerwen v Danny Noppert

Who will win the Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts? Watch throughout the week live on Sky Sports. Live coverage continues Thursday from 7pm on Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Main Event. Stream darts and more top sport with NOW