Luke Humphries cruised into the quarter-finals of the World Grand Prix Darts with a 3-0 win over Jermaine Wattimena.
World number two Humphries hit three 180s and a highest checkout of 129 as his consistency proved too much for Dutchman Wattimena at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester.
With defending champion Luke Littler having suffered a shock defeat by Luke Woodhouse on the opening night, Humphries has been installed as the new favourite for the double-in, double-out event, which he won in 2023.
Humphries is confident he can continue his run as he looks to go one better than finishing runner-up in the last two finals.
"It wasn't the best performance, but it was a good performance," Humphries said on Sky Sports. "It was a lot better than it was on Tuesday (against Dave Chisnall).
"I think I got in every time with my first three (darts). When you are doing stuff like that, it is going to take a top performance to beat you.
"Wattimena played well, but he messed up in the first set, which gave me that little bit of confidence to run away with it.
"I've got a good chance of winning this. At the moment I am a bit up and down, but if I can put that right I am going to be tough to beat."
Gian van Veen survived a scare to come through 3-2 against Ryan Searle.
Dutchman Van Veen - who could end the week as world number two unless Humphries wins the title - had trailed 2-1 after Searle fought back from losing the first set.
As Searle faltered on his doubles, Van Veen then recovered to win four consecutive legs, having landed six 180s, to secure a place in the last eight of the tournament for the first time.
James Wade, a two-time World Grand Prix champion, had earlier beaten Stephen Bunting 3-1, and will next face Van Veen.
In the opening match of the night, debutant Niels Zonneveld held off a fightback from veteran Gary Anderson to close out a 3-1 win. The Dutchman goes on to play Humphries.
