LUKE HUMPHRIES is clinging on to his world No1 spot after defying a back spasm with an outstanding demolition job.
Cool Hand Luke, 30, will surrender his place at the top of the world rankings to Luke Littler unless he wins the Grand Slam of Darts on Sunday and The Nuke goes out in the last 16 or quarter-finals.
Before facing rookie Jurjen van der Velde, he suffered a problem in his neck and shoulder and there were fears pre-game he would pull out.
But having opened up with a 105 checkout, the former world champion inflicted pain on his Dutch opponent, winning 10-3 with an average of 108.55.
Englishman Ricky Evans came from 8-5 and 9-7 down to eliminate Luke Woodhouse 10-9 to make the quarter-finals for the first time.
On the other side of the draw, provisional world No1 Littler, 18, is up against Wessel Nijman on Thursday in the first knockout stage.
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Asked how he managed to achieve that performance despite his problems, Humphries said: “No idea. Honestly.
“You ask my fiancee, when I woke up this morning for 15 minutes I couldn’t pick my head up off the pillow.
Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn 2 – all the info
TIME for round two of this generation’s family feud!
Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn go punch-for-punch once again as both rivals look to make their fathers proud.
The blockbuster rematch takes place at the 62,000-seater Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, November 15.
Eubank Jr narrowly outpointed his bitter foe after 12 brutal rounds in April to secure the bragging rights in what was certainly a Fight of the Year contender.
And the two British superstars will dance once more as Eubank Jr aims to do the double while Benn seeks revenge after suffering a first career loss.
WATCH EUBANK JR VS BENN 2 ONLY ON DAZN
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“I think I got a back spasm. I was kind of thinking I’d have to pull out today. I was really that bad.
“My back was so bad. My shoulder. Whatever it is.
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“I have to thank Mandy, my physio, who has been on it for three hours, looking after me, massaging it, trying to get it into the best state.
“I think the adrenaline got me over the line. I didn’t know how I would play. I guess I am a fighter and surprise myself sometimes.
“From almost having to pull out this morning to playing like that is something special.
“I woke up this morning and couldn’t get my head off the pillow. I had a bad neck for a few days.
“Then I sat up in bed and oh, crippling pain came across this part of my body. It was awful.
“I didn’t want to say anything before because I didn’t want Jurjen to know. It has been a struggle for me all day.
“It’s crazy how you go and perform like that with an injury I have had to deal with.
“Mandy has worked so hard to get it to the point where it was in a physical state for me to play.
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“I can’t believe I have done that. I played in Budapest and had the same problem a couple of years ago. I played well there. I don’t want to wish that on myself all the time.
“I’m in a lot of pain now, it’s hurting me. I put everything on the line. I wasn’t going to not show up. I’m surprised how it went.”
