Cameron Menzies believes a shift in mentality has contributed to his success at this week’s BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix, as he bids to break new ground in Leicester.
Menzies will take on world number one Luke Humphries in Friday’s World Grand Prix quarter-finals, with the enigmatic Scot eyeing a place in his first TV ranking semi-final.
The 36-year-old endured a nightmare debut at this event 12 months ago, failing to win a solitary leg in his straight-sets defeat to Dave Chisnall.
However, Menzies has defeated Premier League duo Chris Dobey and Rob Cross on his return to the Mattioli Arena, and now he has the scalp of 2023 champion Humphries in his sights tonight.
“Last year I didn’t win a leg. This year I’ve won two games, so what a difference a year makes,” joked Menzies, a 28/1 outsider for the title with BOYLE Sports.
“Losing six straight legs here last year really hurt me. I remember that moment. It wasn’t about getting beaten, it was the way I was beaten.
“I believe I’ve punched above my weight this week, so I feel like I’ve got no pressure on me now.”
Menzies has made impressive progress over the last 12 months, landing a brace of Players Championship titles to underline his credentials as a serious contender at the top level.
He also made his first televised quarter-final at the Grand Slam of Darts last November, and his run to the last eight in Leicester has seen him climb into the world’s top 32 for the first time in his career.
“Darts is a fickle old game, but we’re all here for a reason, and that’s because we love it,” added Menzies, the provisional world number 29.
“I think in my last quarter-final when I played against Mickey [Mansell], I felt it was a winnable game.
“Perhaps I looked too far ahead which was down to inexperience, and I hate looking too far ahead, because when I do, I usually fail.”
Menzies’ natural ability has never been in question, but he’s taken steps to improve the mental aspect of his game in recent months, evidenced during his victory over Rob Cross.
Despite squandering five match darts for a straight-sets win, Menzies recovered his poise in the fourth set to topple the former World Champion, sparking jubilant scenes of celebration.
Speaking post-match, the Scottish number three opened up about working with a life coach, and the strategies employed to combat any potential negativity.
“You can get negative thoughts, and it’s horrible when you get those negative thoughts,” Menzies conceded.
“I’ve got a [life] coach who tells me to visualise positivity. I don’t always do it, but there are times that I do.
“I never thought I would get this far, so maybe I need to start believing in myself!”
Menzies and Humphries will go head-to-head in Friday’s finale, which will be preceded by a blockbuster clash between World Champion Luke Littler and 2020 World Grand Prix winner Gerwyn Price.
Elsewhere, 2021 champion Jonny Clayton meets 2020 finalist Dirk van Duijvenbode, while Dutch number two Danny Noppert plays Scottish icon Gary Anderson in Friday’s opening quarter-final.
The BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix is being broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK, through the PDC's worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV (excluding UK, Germany, Austria & Switzerland based subscribers).
2025 BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix
Friday October 10 (1900 BST)
4x Quarter-Finals
Danny Noppert v Gary Anderson
Dirk van Duijvenbode v Jonny Clayton
Luke Littler v Gerwyn Price
Luke Humphries v Cameron Menzies
Best of Five Sets