Luke Humphries’ World Darts Championship defence gets off to perfect start with whitewash win over Thibault Tricole

Even though I didn’t actually get out of second gear, Luke Humphries‘ PDC World Darts Championships the defense started brilliantly. The world number one won nine straight matches en route to a 3-0 victory Thibault Tricole during the opening evening at the Alexandra Palace.

As is customary, the reigning and defending world champion will headline the opening night. For Luke Humphries, Thibault Tricole’s difficult task was the first hurdle after ‘French Touch’ defeated Australian qualifier Joe Comito in the first match of the evening. Despite Tricole hitting 180 in the first match, some fine finishing from the Frenchman allowed Humphries to break 19 overs. Although Humphries was not yet at his best, averaging around 83, Tricole could not punish, allowing the world champion cruise to the opening set in straight legs.

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Humphries scored four legs after a turnover in the first set of the second set. While Tricole was waiting for a 16 to get on the board in the next, “Cool Hand Luke” created his first moment of magic, stealing 160 points at the checkout. After Tricole failed to punish Humphries on several bad sets in the third game, the world champion came back to win six straight games to take a 2-0 set lead.

Reaching his first maximum of the fight in the opening set 3, Humphries continued to climb into the third round after another shot break. Despite some miscommunication in doubles, Humphries ultimately held on to throw for double 5, giving him his eighth straight match. A few missed shots in doubles followed, but the deal was finally done when Humphries sealed a 3-0 win in nine straight games, averaging around 91 goals. In the third round after Christmas, we will have a potential fight with Raymond van Barneveld.