Menzies Topples No.2 Humphries — Blackpool Shaken, Tournament Wide Open

John Menzies produced one of the night’s bigger shocks at the PDC World Matchplay in Blackpool, toppling world No.2 Humphries in a tense, leg-for-leg thriller that left the Winter Gardens buzzing. The match swung on a handful of critical doubles and a late Menzies surge that turned pressure into precision. Humphries looked the favourite for long stretches but paid dearly for a few missed opportunities.

Tactically, Menzies imposed a simple but ruthless game plan: heavy scoring that set up high-percentage finishes and a clinical approach to doubles when it mattered. Humphries showed flashes of the scoring power that earned him his ranking, but his timing on finishes went awry at key moments. The psychological seam of the match opened when Menzies refused to give an inch from the mid-legs onward.

The result is more than a one-off upset; it reshuffles expectations for the draw and hands Menzies genuine momentum. For Humphries, the loss is a clear warning — top ranking means little if matchplay nerves and checkout slippage persist. Coaches and bettors should note that the Matchplay format rewards nerve and finishing above raw averages.

The Guru’s call: Menzies is no longer a mere spoiler — he has the temperament to be a dark horse and should be watched closely through to at least the quarter-finals. Humphries must tighten his doubles work and rethink his mid-game tempo or risk an early tournament exit. My recommendation: respect Menzies in future markets but expect Humphries to respond — the question is how quickly.