US Darts Masters: Luke Littler, Luke Humphries progress as Rob Cross and Stephen Bunting make shock exits in New York | Darts Information
Luke Littler and Luke Humphries made it by way of to the quarter-finals of the bet365 US Darts Masters, as reigning champion Rob Cross and prime seed Stephen Bunting crashed out on the opening night time in New York.
World Champion Littler raised the roof in The Theater at Madison Sq. Backyard by sealing his 6-1 win over Jules van Dongen with a 120 checkout of three double tops, setting the reigning World Sequence of Darts Finals champion a quarter-final assembly with Nathan Aspinall.
World No 1 Humphries got here from 4-3 down in opposition to Stowe Buntz to win 6-4 and keep away from a 3rd American triumph of Friday’s first spherical, having seen Danny Lauby and Jason Brandon benefit from the greatest wins of their careers by gorgeous Cross and Bunting respectively.
Danny Lauby reeled off six straight legs to thrash Rob Cross
Lauby ended Cross’ title defence with a shocking 6-0 whitewash over the 2024 US Darts Masters winner, averaging 94 and following up an earlier 118 checkout with an 11-darter to shut out a formidable show.
“That was superb,” mentioned Lauby, who had misplaced within the first spherical in his three earlier US Darts Masters appearances. “Each win is tough; I’ve not had a complete lot of stage expertise this yr so there’s nothing however positives.
“I understand how good Rob is and he did not play to his customary and I used to be lucky sufficient to take benefit. I am actually glad and looking out ahead to Saturday.”
Lauby is joined in Saturday night’s ultimate levels by Brandon, who noticed off Bunting 6-4. Brandon had misplaced 6-2 to Cross on his TV debut in New York two years in the past, however defied a 170 checkout from Bunting to shut out victory this time round with a 97 common.
“That is my greatest win – I am struggling to search out the phrases,” mentioned Brandon, who traded plans to rejoice Saturday’s marriage ceremony anniversary within the Turks & Caicos Islands after qualifying for the occasion.
Jason Brandon shocked Stephen Bunting to succeed in the quarter-finals
“My aim was to come back up right here and get a bit of little bit of redemption for 2 years in the past – I do not know the way I held it collectively however I used to be capable of focus. I am feeling means higher about my darts now than I used to be coming into the occasion. I am prepared for tomorrow.”
Aspinall, the 2019 US Darts Masters winner in Las Vegas, landed eight 180s and averaged 105 in a sensational 6-2 win over Canadian primary Matt Campbell.
Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Value will meet in a tasty quarter-final on Saturday following spectacular opening victories. Value shone with a 102.47 common and 6 180s in his 6-2 victory over Adam Sevada, whereas Van Gerwen dispatched Leonard Gates 6-1.
Damon Heta punished 9 missed doubles from Jim Lengthy to assert a 6-1 win over the Canadian, averaging virtually 99 on his New York debut to arrange a conflict with Brandon.
Saturday’s afternoon session sees the bet365 North American Championship happen, because the eight American and Canadian stars compete for that home title and a $10,000 prime prize. The US Darts Masters then concludes later within the day, with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and ultimate in The Theater at Madison Sq. Backyard.
2025 bet365 US Darts Masters outcomes and schedule
Friday June 27
First Spherical
Damon Heta 6-1 Jim Lengthy
Danny Lauby 6-0 Rob Cross
Jason Brandon 6-4 Stephen Bunting
Gerwyn Value 6-2 Adam Sevada
Luke Littler 6-1 Jules van Dongen
Nathan Aspinall 6-2 Matt Campbell
Luke Humphries 6-4 Stowe Buntz
Michael van Gerwen 6-1 Leonard Gates
Nathan Aspinall will now face Luke Littler on Saturday
Saturday June 28
Night Session (1930 EST/Sunday 0030 UK time)
Quarter-Finals
Jason Brandon vs Damon Heta
Luke Littler vs Nathan Aspinall
Danny Lauby vs Luke Humphries
Gerwyn Value vs Michael van Gerwen
Better of 11 legs
Semi-Finals
Brandon/Heta vs Littler/Aspinall
Lauby/Humphries vs Value/Van Gerwen
Better of 13 legs
Ultimate
Better of 15 legs
What is the subsequent darts occasion on Sky Sports activities?
The spotlight of the darting summer season will see the Betfred World Matchplay held from July 19-27 on the Winter Gardens, as Luke Humphries bids to retain the coveted Phil Taylor Trophy, with world champion Luke Littler and three-time winner Michael van Gerwen additionally set to headline the £800,000 occasion throughout 9 days.
Sunday July 27 will even characteristic the fourth staging of the Betfred Girls’s World Matchplay, that includes eight gamers competing throughout one session – with Beau Greaves having received the 2023 and 2024 occasions.
Sky Sports activities will as soon as once more be the house of the World Cup of Darts, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and extra! Stream darts and extra prime sport with no contract.