BRILIANT Luke Humphries held off Michael van Gerwen to win a classic World Matchplay final with a double-double finish.
The English ace cemented his status as the World No1 by seeing off Luke Littler’s conqueror 18-15 in a contest of extraordinary quality at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.
World champ Humphries looked comfortably on top for the first half of the match, with Van Gerwen fortunate to be hanging in just two or three legs behind.
But the match then exploded into top gear as MVG battled back to nip at the tail of the Englishman.
A Humphries’ 11-darter – the best leg so far – put the world champion 12-9 up and seemingly coasting.
But the Dutchman responded brilliantly – levelling with three stunning legs including checkouts of 106 and 110.
Humphries then clung on with an under-pressure 86 finish on his throw to go 13-12 up.
MVG blew the next leg – but broke back instantly to trail just 14-13 on throw.
Van Gerwen missed a bull for a 164 finish – with Humphries nipping in to extend his advantage.
A 131 checkout then put Humphries two legs from victory – but MVG replied with a 160 and then broke to be just 16-15 behind.
MVG then wasted three shots at double 10 – and Humphries took attempts at the same double to edge one leg off victory.
the final leg went the same way – but with an even more incredible finish in the form of a match-sealing double-double.
