HUMP SAD AFTER SEARLE WHITEWASH
01/03/2025 By Aaron Nijjar
By Phil Lanning
LUKE HUMPHRIES admitted he was CRUSHED to smash best mate Ryan Searle 10-0.
The World No.1 looked visibly gutted to whitewash ‘Heavy Metal’ in their UK Open fourth road clash.
‘Cool Hand’, 30, was almost despondent with the victory after hitting a 100 average and five 180s.
He said: “I did not expect that scoreline to be honest. I thought it would be similar to yesterday, like 10-7.
“His finishing just wasn’t there. To beat Ryan Searle 10-0 is a ridiculous scoreline. That was just a bad day at the office from him.
“I thought I played well. But as the game went on the more legs I was winning, it was a struggle because I didn’t want to beat him 10-0 to be honest.
“He’s my best mate in darts, it kind of crushes you inside, you don’t want to smash someone who is so close to you.
“Of course when you are in this game you have to be ruthless. You can’t give anybody anything. Even if he is your best mate.
“It’s not the most enjoyable 10-0 win I’ve had in my career.
“Ryan is capable of winning tournaments like this. I mean that, I know him. I know how good he is. Today his finishing under pressure wasn’t there.”
LUKE LITTLER admitted he was happy to reach the fifth round because he’s not a morning person.
‘The Nuke’ comfortably outgunned ‘Machine Gun’ Jermaine Wattimena 10-4.
He said: “I wanted to play well this afternoon. Everyone knows I’m not a morning person!
“But us players have to get up for these afternoon sessions.
“Today I got up about half 10 or 11 and got here for 12. Bit of practice and I just felt comfortable up on stage.
“As long as the darts are going well I know I can enjoy myself up there. Go for the crazy checkouts.
“We’ve got to play for the crowd and I had 60 or 70 per cent on the doubles.
“I’ve got a brilliant record here at Minehead. First time was the World Youth quarter-final, UK Open and lost the final to Luke Humphries in the Players Championship final.
“I’m feeling very confident at the minute.”
Image by Kieran Cleeves
