Humphries claims maiden World Series title in NZ

World number one Luke Humphries produced a stunning comeback against rising teen star Luke Littler in the semi-finals of the New Zealand Masters on his way to a maiden World Series title.

England’s Humphries, who beat Littler in the final of the PDC World Championship earlier this year, came from 6-2 down to beat the 17-year-old 7-6 in the last four in Hamilton.

He then cruised past Australia’s Damon Heta 8-2 in the final.

“I’ve been searching for this,” said the 29-year-old on ITVX. “I didn’t think I’d win a world title before I won a World Series [tournament] but it happened that way, I felt one was coming.”

After losing the opening leg of the final, Humphries then reeled off the next five to put himself into a commanding position against the 2019 Brisbane Masters winner.

Humphries, who defeated Michael Smith 6-4 in the quarter-finals, then won the last three legs to close out victory with an average of 102.21 for three darts over the final.

Littler had produced a fine display, featuring five 180s, to beat Dimitri van den Bergh 6-4 in the last eight, while runner-up Heta beat defending champion Rob Cross 6-5 in the quarter-finals and Peter Wright 7-4 in the semis.