World No. 1 Humphries maintained his excellent form throughout, averaging just under 105 as he outplayed the 2022 champion. He began emphatically, racing into a 4-0 lead with all four of his opening attempts at double successfully converted.
Humphries extended his advantage to 7-3, averaging more than 109 at that stage, before Smith mounted a mid-game fightback. The St Helens star produced a ten-darter and narrowly missed a nine-darter with double 12, while Humphries responded with a six-dart leg. Smith then won three more legs to level the match at 7-7.
However, Humphries soon seized control, as a 138 checkout marked the start of a dominant spell in which he claimed nine of the final ten legs. He closed out a relentless late performance with an 11-darter, securing his third Grand Slam semi-final appearance in four years.
“There’s a lot more in the tank and I can do better than that,” Humphries said. “Since I slowed my throw down a little bit, I feel like I’m so much more in control. Every dart you throw needs to mean something, so I feel like I’m a better player than I’ve ever been.
"Gezzy (Price) is going to push me and work hard, but if I perform like that, I will put him under a lot of pressure.”
Humphries will face Price in the semi-finals after the Welshman beat Evans 16-9. Price started well, charging into a 4-0 lead, and despite Evans reducing the deficit to 4-2, Price quickly reasserted himself.
By 7-3, he had restored a four-leg advantage, and though Evans threatened another comeback, Price remained unbroken, extending his lead to 14-9 with a 13-darter. He sealed the win with a 12-dart leg and a 101 finish, reaching his fourth Grand Slam semi-final.
“I was edgy in that game a little bit, but I prefer that because it keeps me on my toes,” Price said. “It’s mad how everyone plays their best against me. Twice Ricky played well in this tournament, and it’s twice against me.
"I’m here to win it. I haven’t fired on all cylinders yet. When I’m in the semi-final, I need to play well if I’m going to win, and it’s going to be a battle no matter what.”
Quarter-final action continues on Saturday evening, with Luke Littler defending his Grand Slam crown against Josh Rock and Lukas Wenig seeking revenge against Danny Noppert.
Results
Ricky Evans 9-16 Gerwyn Price
Luke Humphries 16-8 Michael Smith