Top-Ranked Humphries Out of Grand Slam of Darts

Luke Littler, a 17-year-old darts player, impressed at the World Grand Slam of Darts by advancing to the knockout stages after defeating Keane Barry 5-0 and Dimitri van den Bergh 5-1, positioning himself as a strong contender following the elimination of reigning champion Luke Humphries. Humphries, the world number one, was unexpectedly knocked out after losing 5-3 to James Wade in a crucial group stage match. His earlier defeat to Rowby-John Rodriguez and Wade's loss to Mickey Mansell meant both needed wins to continue, but Wade's performance secured his advancement. Humphries attributed his poor performance to personal distractions, notably his son's illness. The exit of the top-ranked player has opened the field, with Wayne Mardle noting that it highlights the competitive unpredictability in darts.