Luke Littler to face Michael Smith in Australian Darts Masters quarter-finals on Saturday; Littler looking to win eighth PDC title of the season and third World Series event; Gerwyn Price and Luke Humphries also advance to last eight in Wollongong
Friday 9 August 2024 15:47, UK
Luke Littler reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Darts Masters as he aims to win his eighth PDC title of the year.
The 17-year-old, whose tournament victories in 2024 include Premier League Darts, beat local qualifier Rob Modra 6-2 in Wollongong to set up a last-eight meeting with Michael Smith on Saturday.
Modra missed a dart to level his match with Littler at 3-3 and the top seed made his opponent pay to remain in the hunt for a third World Series title of 2024, after the Bahrain Masters and Poland Masters.
"I'm just glad to drag myself over the line tonight, and hopefully I can improve tomorrow," claimed Littler.
"Rob missed some crucial darts at double and it could have gone either way, but thankfully I took my chances.
"I'm really enjoying playing in the World Series, visiting new places and playing in front of new crowds!"
Smith earlier defeated Stuart Coburn as 'Bully Boy' converted 146 and 118 finishes during his comfortable 6-2 win against Stuart Coburn, who conjured up a stunning ten-dart leg on his World Series debut.
World Champion Luke Humphries kicked off his campaign with a 6-1 demolition of Comito, hitting three 180s and sealing his progress with a 120 checkout as the eight PDC players all beat local qualifiers.
I'm really enjoying my time here. It's such an amazing country," revealed the world number one.
"I'm very privileged to be here playing darts, and hopefully I can pick up the title this weekend.
"As a perfectionist, you want to win everything, and I would love to open my [World Series] account in such an iconic place, but I know I have to improve tomorrow."
Rob Cross was given the stiffest test, pipping New Zealander Haupai Puha 6-5 having surrendered a 4-0 lead.
Gerwyn Price beat Brenton Lloyd 6-2, Dimitri Van den Bergh saw off Jeremy Fagg 6-1, Damon Heta swept John Hurring 6-0 and Peter Wright defeated Simon Whitlock 6-1.
The tournament reaches a conclusion on Saturday, with the best-of-11-leg quarter-finals followed by best-of-13-leg semi-finals before the final is a best-of-15-leg match.
Dimitri Van den Bergh 6-1 Jeremy Fagg
Gerwyn Price 6-2 Brenton Lloyd
Michael Smith 6-2 Stuart Coburn
Luke Humphries 6-1 Joe Comito
Luke Littler 6-2 Rob Modra
Peter Wright 6-1 Simon Whitlock
Damon Heta 6-0 John Hurring
Rob Cross 6-5 Haupai Puha
Luke Littler vs Michael Smith
Luke Humphries vs Dimitri Van den Bergh
Rob Cross vs Peter Wright
Gerwyn Price vs Damon Heta
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