Humphries claims maiden World Series title in NZ
Luke Humphries won the World Mathchplay in July to become only the fourth reigning world champion to win the two titles in the same year
- Published
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.