Newbury's Luke Humphries storms in UK Open quarter-final after 10-4 win against Martijn Kleermaker
The 26-year-old will play in the last eight on Sunday
LUKE Humphries made quick work of reaching the quarter-finals of the Ladbrokes UK Open as he beat Martijn Kleermaker 10-4.
The 26-year-old raced into a 3-0 lead against his Dutch opponent, but Kleermaker hit back and levelled the scores at 3-3.
Humphries regained control in the contest and took a 6-4 lead at the halfway stage.
The world number 41 then took a firm hold of the game and rattled off four legs on the spin, which included a 108 checkout, to win the match.
After his win against Kleermaker, he said: "I love a quick-paced game, but I must be honest when I went 3-0 I felt a little bit nervous and it's not like me.
"I know what tonight meant for me and I needed the win because I didn't want to be known as just the World Championship quarter-finalist and that's it.
"I am a decent player and it was a good draw for us and I am happy to get through the game, but I do feel there is still a lot to come from me."
Earlier in the day, Humphries secured his passage in the competition by beating Ryan Searle 10-7.
"It's been a really good day and, for me, I came into the tournament hoping to win a couple of games to build my confidence up.
"It was important for me to bounce back after a disappointing World Championship because I know I have the ability to perform at different places."
This will be Humphries' first television quarter-final, outside of the PDC World Championships, and it's a feat he hopes to build on.
"It's not all about the World Championships and I have said in previous interviews that I can't rush my progress, even though everyone knows the ability is there.
"I just need time to build myself up and get into these tournaments and a great run here is fantastic for me and it's not over for me.
"Everyone knows I have been working hard, both on and off the board, and it's paying dividends and I am hoping I can keep doing what I am doing."
