Luke Humphries’ physio has more than earned her latest pay cheque.When the reigning world No.1 woke up on Wednesday, there was a very real possibility he would be forced to withdraw from the Grand Slam of Darts. But three hours of intense massaging from his physio later and ‘Cool Hand’ is into the quarter-finals thanks to a gritty 10-3 victory over Jurjen van der Velde.“When I woke up this morning, for 15 minutes I couldn’t pick my head up off the pillow,” Humphries told Sky Sports.“I think I got a back spasm and I was kind of thinking I’d have to pull out today, I was really that bad. My back was so bad and my shoulder, whatever it is. “I’ve just got to thank Mandy, my physio, who’s been on it for three hours looking after me massaging it, trying to get it in the best state that it physically it can be. “I think the adrenaline got me over the line. I guess I’m just a fighter and I surprise myself sometimes. “From almost pulling out this morning to playing like that is something special.”Humphries added he’d ‘had a bad neck’ for several days, although it had not been disruptive enough to force him away from the oche.“Then today, I sat up and the crippling pain that came across this part [my shoulder] was awful,” Humphries said.“I didn’t want to say anything before because I didn’t want Jurjen to know. It’s been a struggle for me all day. “It’s just crazy how you can perform like that with an injury like I’ve had to deal with.GettyHumphries battled through the pain to overcome Van der Velde[/caption]“I cannot believe I’ve done that. I’m in a lot of pain now, it’s hurting me, but I’m a fighter. I put everything on the line tonight. “I was never going to give in and not give the fans what they want.”Shook it offHumphries’ injury woes makes the numbers behind his victory over Van der Velde all the more impressive.Against the Dutchman, ‘Cool Hand’ boasted an extremely impressive average of 108.55 and landed seven maximums.Humphries was also remarkably clinical when it came to the doubles, as he finished with a checkout rate of 76.9 per cent having made ten of 13 attempts.The one-time world champion awaits Michael Smith in the quarter-finals after ‘Bully Boy’ claimed a nerve-jangling 10-9 victory over Chris Dobey.‘Cool Hand’ hopes to avoid falling short at a ranked televised final for a third time this year should he reach that stageGettyIn Humphries’ favour is the fact that of the two times he has progressed from the round robin stage, he reached the semi-finals and emerged victorious in 2023.The 30-year-old is aiming for his second ranked major this year having already triumphed at the World Masters.