Humphries suffers shock defeat in Hungarian Darts Trophy

Luke Humphries was beaten 6-3 in the second round in Budapest on his first European Tour appearance since March; Dirk van Duijvenbode advances to Sunday's finals day alongside compatriot Michael van Gerwen; Gian van Veen and Josh Rock both produced 6-0 victories on Saturday evening

Luke Humphries suffered a shock 6-3 defeat to Dirk van Duijvenbode in the second round of the Hungarian Darts Trophy as the tournament favourite crashed out of Budapest on Saturday night.

With Luke Littler skipping the event, the world No 2 had arrived as the man to beat and in prime form after winning Wednesday's Players Championship event in Leicester, but his first European Tour outing since lifting the Belgian Darts Open title in March ended a day short of finals day.

Van Duijvenbode, a World Matchplay semi-finalist this summer, produced the flourish of the match with a 140 finish on tops-tops to move within a leg of victory before sealing his place in Sunday's Finals Day

Victory ended Van Duijvenbode's nine-match losing run against the world No 2, the Dutchman reeling off four consecutive legs from 3-2 adrift and averaging 98."

"Luke is a phenomenal player, but I think I'm okay as well," said Van Duijvenbode – a three-time runner-up on the European Tour circuit.

"I'm happier in life at the moment. I've had a lot of struggles, but I feel better, life is better and I'm getting better now hopefully."

Elsewhere, Michael van Gerwen recovered from 3-1 down to beat James Hurrell 6-4 and keep alive his bid for a second Hungarian Darts Trophy crown, sealing his place in Sunday's finals day.

He'll meet Nathan Aspinall in the last 16 after 'The Asp' defeated Ryan Joyce 6-4 despite being out-averaged, with five 180s and the greater volume of chances at a double carrying the 15th seed through.

Gian van Veen was imperious in whitewashing Hungarian qualifier Nandor Major 6-0, missing just three darts at a double in a finishing masterclass and converting a sublime 167 finish along the way.

Josh Rock also managed a 6-0 triumph as the Northern Irishman overcame an off-form Joe Cullen.

Fourth seed Jonny Clayton defeated home hope Laszlo Kadar, who stunned Daryl Gurney on Friday night, 6-3.

Keane Barry is also through after reeling off five consecutive legs to beat Madars Razma 6-2 and reach a first European Tour finals day in three years – although the Latvian left Budapest with the shot of the night, a 158 checkout completed on the bull.

The tournament had already made history before the weekend, with Beau Greaves becoming the first woman to compete in a European Tour event on Friday and pushing 2018 world champion Rob Cross all the way to a deciding leg before losing 6-5.