Cameron Menzies insists he has ‘nothing to lose’ at the Betfred World Matchplay, following his landmark opening round victory over Luke Humphries. Menzies caused the upset of the tournament so far on Monday, producing a miraculous 170 checkout to complete a 10-7 success against 2024 champion Humphries. The enigmatic Scot raced into a commanding 8-3 […]
Cameron Menzies insists he has ‘nothing to lose’ at the Betfred World Matchplay, following his landmark opening round victory over Luke Humphries.
Menzies caused the upset of the tournament so far on Monday, producing a miraculous 170 checkout to complete a 10-7 success against 2024 champion Humphries.
The enigmatic Scot raced into a commanding 8-3 lead before fending off Humphries’ four-leg flurry to celebrate his maiden victory on the Winter Gardens stage.
“No matter what I do in my life, I will take this to my grave,” declared Menzies, who defied a 99.56 average from the world number two.
“No one gave me hope, I didn’t give myself hope – I’ve finally won a game at the Winter Gardens!
“To beat someone as amazing as Luke Humphries on this stage…this was probably the best moment of my darts career.
“It’s up there with playing alongside Gary [Anderson] in the World Cup.”
Menzies feared for his future in the sport following his well-documented defeat to Charlie Manby at the World Championship – a moment he described as one of the toughest of his career.
Despite showing glimpses of his mercurial best, the 37-year-old also struggled for consistency in the early stages of 2026, which left his hopes of World Matchplay qualification hanging in the balance.
However, Menzies allayed those fears by clinching his third PDC ranking title at Players Championship 23 earlier this month – a victory he attributes to his new-found mentality.
“I didn’t think I was going to qualify for this tournament,” conceded Menzies, who will take on Ross Smith in round two.
“I had a really poor start to the year. I’ve been through a lot, but most of it is my own fault.
“I’m in a better place mentally and physically now, and I’m enjoying my darts again.
“I’ve got nothing to lose. I was expected to lose against Luke, so every game is a bonus now.
“I’ve been having hypnotherapy. That’s something I would never have done until what happened [at the World Championship], but it’s helped me massively.
“I’m in a good place in life at the moment.”
Smith, meanwhile, opened his bid to lift the Phil Taylor Trophy with an eye-catching 10-6 win at the expense of debutant Kevin Doets.
Doets averaged 104.19 – the highest average by a debutant in World Matchplay history – although a ruthless Smith also averaged in three figures to seal a statement victory.
The former European Champion has claimed a hat-trick of ranking titles in 2026 alone, and he’s hoping to build on his opening round victory when he goes head-to-head with Menzies in Wednesday’s opener.
“I think anyone can win on their day,” admitted Smith, a World Matchplay quarter-finalist in 2024.
“If you don’t perform, you’re going to get done. If you turn up, you’ve got a chance.
“You’re playing against the best players in the world so I’ll just take each round as it comes.
“I’ve had a really good year, but weirdly I don’t think I’ve been near my peak form. Maybe I’m just learning how to win when I need to.
“I was sat up in the Winter Gardens when I was 14 years old watching darts, so it’s always amazing to be here. It’s an absolute privilege.”
2026 Betfred World Matchplay
Wednesday July 22 (1900 BST)
Round Two x4
Cameron Menzies v Ross Smith
Gian van Veen v Wessel Nijman
Gerwyn Price v Rob Cross
James Wade v Ryan Searle
Best of 21 legs