A thrilling night of quarter-final action at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester culminated in the confirmation of the final four players of the World Grand Prix, with reigning champion Humphries advancing alongside two first-time semi-finalists.
Humphries faced off against 2021 winner Clayton in a tense battle that saw the defending champion come out on top in four sets. Despite a two-leg deficit in the third set, a clutch 149 checkout from Humphries turned the tide in his favor, propelling him to a crucial 2-1 lead in the match.
Reflecting on his performance, Humphries admitted, “That’s probably the most nervous I’ve felt in a long, long time. It’s really not like me, but maybe I’m trying too hard. It was a really tough game. Jonny was unlucky there – he probably could have had the third set but that 146 changed everything.”
Looking ahead to his semi-final clash with Ryan Joyce, who secured his spot by defeating Gary Anderson and James Wade in straight sets, Humphries acknowledged the challenge ahead. “Ryan will be looking forward to tomorrow, embracing and thinking that he’s got nothing to lose. I feel very lucky that I’m still here but sometimes you’ve got to ride your luck.”
Despite the pressure of the competition, Humphries remained confident in his abilities. “I feel really good and my game’s in a good place so I won’t take any negatives; I’ve won and that’s it. I’ll go into tomorrow in a confident mood – I know I can do it when it matters most.”
The stage is set for an exciting semi-final showdown between Humphries and Joyce, as the tension continues to build in the quest for World Grand Prix glory.