Luke Humphries proved far too robust for 71-year-old Paul Lim because the 2024 champion comfortably progressed to the third spherical of the PDC World Championship.

Humphries was in ruthless temper within the first two units and gained all the first eight legs performed, earlier than Lim introduced the largest cheer of the evening at Alexandra Palace by touchdown double prime to clinch what could be his solely leg of the competition.

Previous to the match, the world quantity two had described Lim as a “legend” and mentioned a World Championship defeat by the Singapore veteran in December 2020 was a turning level in his profession.

Their mutual respect was proven when the pair shared a heat handshake after Lim’s profitable shot at double, and once more as soon as Humphries had wrapped up a dominant victory, with Humphries admitting he was “glad” Lim was capable of win a leg.

The 30-year-old Englishman, who will play Germany’s Gabriel Clemens subsequent, instructed Sky Sports activities: “In opposition to somebody you actually like and also you’re 6-0 up in legs, truthfully it is laborious since you do not need to destroy folks all the time. There are specific gamers that you simply need to, however sure gamers you do not need to and he is one which you do not.

“It was a recreation I needed to win, that was an important factor and I put myself in an excellent place after the primary two units.

“He [Lim] is only a legend, I really like him to bits and I hope that is not the final time we see him on this stage.”