Luke Humphries produced a staggering display at the Swiss Darts Trophy on Sunday afternoon, whitewashing Krzysztof Ratajski 6-0 with a tournament-record 114.5 average to book his place in the quarter-finals in Basel. Competing in his first tournament since winning the World Grand Prix title, Humphries began in ominous fashion, breaking the throw in 11 darts. He doubled his lead before a 109 outshot confirmed another break, with Ratajski reduced to a bystander as Humphries averaged over 121 at that point. A 12-dart hold moved him within two of the match, clinical on double 16, before a third break of throw on tops gave him the chance to throw it out. He got a 180 in every leg but just missed out on the European Tour record average after missing double five for a 130, fittingly finishing in the madhouse to outline his title credentials with the highest ever average in the Swiss Darts Trophy.
Gian van Veen kept his hunt for a first European Tour title alive with a fine performance against Tom Bissell, averaging 100.97. Both players got on the board with checkouts of 16 before van Veen commenced what would be five consecutive breaks. Twice the Dutchman sneaked ahead, but twice Bissell got himself back on level terms. A 76 checkout turned out to be the highest of the match, and that got the Dutch number one ahead. He finally backed it up with a hold, and when Bissell forced him to throw it out, he duly obliged to reach a fifth quarter-final in 2026.
Former world champions crashed out elsewhere, with Jonny Clayton defeating Rob Cross 6-4 in an epic despite Cross averaging 106.88. Cross sailed out into a 2-0 lead with an early break before Clayton got on the board. The Ferret upped the gears and a clinical 80 checkout in two darts followed a failed 112 attempt by the former world champion, getting the match back on throw. He backed it up with a 76 checkout, but a 92 finish kept Cross in contention. It would not be for much longer, as Clayton ended with a bang, taking out 106 on double 16 to etch his name in the quarter-finals. Averaging over a ton, he desperately needs to win this title to boost his Grand Slam of Darts hopes.
Michael Smith's much-improved campaign came to an end against Dirk van Duijvenbode, who came out victorious 6-3. Both players have or are having troubles with injury, hampering their darts career. A 126 checkout from Bully Boy got himself ahead 2-1 before a 107 outshot by van Duijvenbode got him back level pegging. A leg later, he seized the initiative against the darts, grafting hard as Smith pestered him. A 79 checkout on double 11 moved him within one, and he managed to see out the contest with a 96 finish with two double 19's, ending with a flourish. It was a productive Swiss Darts Trophy for Michael Smith.
Mensur Suljovic produced a contentious display full of questionable sportsmanship as he bathed in the crowd support, keeping his cool to win 6-5 against Ross Smith, who left the Basel stage seething. It is a first European Tour quarter-final for The Gentle since 2023 on home soil. It was a lethargic game, paced at Suljovic's tempo. Smith seemed fine with that as he took a 2-0 lead, but missed doubles allowed the Austrian to fight back, levelling with an 11-dart hold. Four consecutive breaks saw Smith blow his lead multiple times. It went to a deciding leg as Smudger crumbled at the end, missing two match darts as Suljovic was seen celebrating and hyping up the crowd. He pinned double 10, and a frosty handshake was completed between the two in a game full of needle and drama.
Karel Sedlacek, who was not even originally qualified for this tournament and came off the reserve list, is in the quarter-finals after a comprehensive 6-2 win against an underwhelming Rock. While the former World Cup of Darts winner averaged in the low 80s, Evil Charlie took command. Sedlacek went a break ahead before a classy 127 by Rock got him level. He would not win another leg in the match with the clinical Czech romping away to glory. In the race to Dortmund, he is just a single win away from levelling with Stephen Bunting in 32nd.
Bradley Brooks, competing in his first ever European Tour Sunday, made the most of it as Jeffrey de Graaf let a huge opportunity slide, putting in a poor showing to lose 6-3. Bam Bam kept in touch with his Swedish opponent before putting on the afterburners at the end. From 3-2 down, he won every leg. An 84 checkout got him ahead for the first time in the match before comfortably seeing it out to break more ground in Basel.
Cristo Reyes stood out as one of the best performers in the last-16, ending Damon Heta's title charge with a 6-4 win. The solitary break came in the first leg of the match, with a 68 checkout proving pivotal. A 71 finish got Heta on the board, but there was work to do. An 86 checkout put Reyes 5-3 ahead, but a little blip at the end gave the Aussie a slight bit of hope. However, The Spartan got himself in command and finished it on double 10, averaging 100.89 in a terrific performance.
