Luke Littler stormed into the finals of the US Darts Masters, delivering a masterclass performance with an impressive 103.66 average. The 17-year-old lived up to the billing amid the immense media attention he has received stateside, blowing his opponent Matt Campbell away in 10 minutes.
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The PDC's "World Series of Darts" has been taking the game’s elite on a global escapade, from the sands of Bahrain to the bright lights of New York's Madison Square Garden. Michael van Gerwen may have been the reigning champ, but it was Littler who became the darling of the American fans and press.
Since his explosive entrance at the World Championship in December, the teenage sensation has been setting the sports world ablaze. With his US debut on the horizon, WWE champion Cody Rhodes sent the darts wunderkind a video message, as Littler is known to be a wrestling aficionado.
Buoyed by Rhodes' support, Littler made his entrance to the wrestler's theme tune and immediately dazzled the audience. He dispatched Campbell in a mere 10 minutes, clinching a 6-0 victory with a 103.66 average that left the American spectators in awe.
Meanwhile, reigning world champion Luke Humphries, fresh from proposing to his fiancee in the Big Apple, showed no mercy against Canadian stalwart David Cameron. Humphries delivered a chillingly clinical display, sweeping Cameron aside 6-0 in a dominant whitewash.
In other news, reigning champion van Gerwen made light work of Danny Lauby, sailing through with a 6-1 victory. The Dutchman was in formidable form, but it was a night of disappointment for Michael Smith as he was left reeling by Jeff Smith.
The evening at Madison Square Garden kicked off with Rob Cross securing a 6-1 win over Adam Sevada, followed by Nathan Aspinall's match against Stowe Buntz. Aspinall stormed into a 3-0 lead against Buntz, who retaliated with an impressive 141 checkout.
However, the former US Masters champion held his nerve, clinching a 6-2 win to progress to the finals tomorrow night.
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Two-time World Champion Peter Wright then took on CDC Cross Border Challenge winner Alex Spellman in a nail-biting match that had the New York crowd on their feet. After some double trouble, Spellman landed the first break of throw against Wright before the veteran hit back - only for the American to pull off a spectacular 150 checkout.
Spellman continued to dazzle, pulling off a 167 checkout to thunderous applause inside the iconic Madison Square Garden. Wright then shockingly missed a match dart which allowed Spellman to force a deciding leg, only for the Scot to hit a 100 checkout to secure a tense 6-5 win and advance.
Gerwyn Price swiftly took a 2-0 lead in his match against World Cup star Jules van Dongen. Despite the American's spirited comeback, which included a thrilling 119 checkout that sent fans into a frenzy, the 2021 World Champion from Wales managed to secure his place in the quarterfinals with a 6-3 victory.
The PDC US Darts Masters will proceed with the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final on Saturday 1st June.
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