Menzies secures significant victory
Cameron Menzies delivered a notable upset at the World Matchplay in Blackpool, defeating the 2024 champion, Luke Humphries, with a score of 10-7. The match, held on Monday night at the Winter Gardens, marked Menzies’ first victory on this stage. Humphries, who is the world number two, faced Menzies, known for his entertaining and unpredictable style of play.
Menzies secured his win with an inspired 170 checkout, a moment that resonated with the audience in the Empress Ballroom. This triumph is considered Menzies’ most significant career win. He expressed his delight, stating that he finally won a game at the Winter Gardens, a feat he had doubted he could achieve.
The match saw a series of breaks of throw early on. Menzies established an initial lead of 3-2 with a double-double 129 finish. Humphries responded with a magnificent 167 checkout, levelling the score after the first interval. Menzies then surged ahead, taking a 7-3 lead with a four-leg burst. Although Humphries managed to win four consecutive legs to narrow the gap, Menzies regained his composure with a 98 checkout before sealing the victory with the crucial 170 finish.
Reflecting on the match, Menzies acknowledged the pressure, especially when leading 7-3, and the stress Humphries put on him with his doubles. Despite Humphries’ strong comeback, Menzies maintained his lead and secured the win. He admitted to showing a lot of emotion during the game but emphasised his effort to stay composed.
Reactions and what’s next
Wayne Mardle commented on Menzies’ performance, describing it as his best-ever win. Mardle highlighted Menzies’ ability to handle the pressure and various emotional swings throughout the game, noting that Menzies was broken back early twice and then saw his lead reduced. Mardle praised Menzies for finding his level again after Humphries’ strong spell, suggesting that Menzies now knows he can handle any situation.
Following this victory, Menzies is set to face Ross Smith in the second round. Smith advanced after overcoming Kevin Doets in his first-round match. Smith initially took a commanding 5-0 lead, which included a 10-dart leg and a 160 checkout. Doets fought back, reducing the deficit to 6-4, and later produced a 161 finish. However, Smith ultimately secured his win with a 120 checkout.
In other first-round action, Gerwyn Price also secured a comeback victory against Martin Schindler, winning 11-9. Price trailed 4-0 and 6-2 before rallying to lead 9-8. Schindler forced a tie-break with a 121 checkout, but Price broke throw and finished with a 100 checkout to complete his turnaround. Price acknowledged that he played below his usual standard, stating that the crowd’s support was crucial to his win. He will now play Rob Cross in the second round. Cross had a convincing 10-3 win over Danny Noppert, leading 5-0 at the break and maintaining an average of 97.41, with a 128 checkout and a 52.6 per cent success rate on doubles.
Upcoming matches
The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay continues at the iconic Winter Gardens. The tournament, featuring a 32-player field, runs from July 18-26. The second round is scheduled to begin on Tuesday. Defending champion Luke Littler, who started his campaign with a 10-6 win over Niko Springer, will face Nathan Aspinall. Other key matches include Michael van Gerwen against Dirk van Duijvenbode, Jonny Clayton meeting Gary Anderson, and Stephen Bunting playing Josh Rock. Anderson recorded the eighth-highest average in World Matchplay history with 109.96 in his 10-2 victory over Ryan Joyce. Stephen Bunting advanced after a close match against Niels Zonneveld, surviving three match darts to win 13-12.
The tournament is set to continue with more exciting matches as players compete for the prestigious Phil Taylor Trophy.
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Source: skysports.com