Jeff Smith pulled off a 6-1 rout of Michael Smith on the opening night of the 2024 US Darts Masters, as Luke Littler romped to a whitewash win.
Friday’s action saw eight First Round ties take place in The Theater at Madison Square Garden, with last year’s runner-up Smith the solitary North American representative to topple a PDC star.
The reigning North American champion punished a below-par display from 2023 World Champion Smith to storm to a 6-1 demolition with six from nine on the doubles.
“I absolutely love New York. This city has pretty much adopted me,” said the Canadian, who will take on Luke Littler in Saturday’s quarter-finals.
“I’m Jeff Smith, I’m not worried about Luke Littler. He’s a generational talent, there’s no doubt about that, but I just have to worry about what I do.
“I’m here with a point to prove, and that’s it. Me reaching the final wasn’t a fluke last year, and I want to come back and compete again.”
Littler took centre stage on his debut in New York as he powered past Canadian number one Matt Campbell 6-0 with a 103.6 average.
Littler was roared on by a partisan American crowd after using Cody Rhodes’ entrance music, having received a message from the undisputed WWE Champion on Thursday.
“I couldn’t wait to get on that stage tonight,” admitted Littler, making his first competitive appearance since his incredible Premier League triumph at The O2.
“I felt really comfortable and everything just went well. I can’t wait to play tomorrow now.
“With the amount of top athletes that have performed here, it would mean the world to lift this trophy, and hopefully I can go all the way.”
Fresh from celebrating his engagement to his fiancée Kayley on Thursday, World Champion Luke Humphries whitewashed Canadian veteran David Cameron to continue his memorable week in the Big Apple.
“I felt a little bit nervous tonight because I wanted to put on a show and entertain the crowd,” admitted Humphries, who now faces Nathan Aspinall in the Last Eight.
“I’m expecting a tough game tomorrow, as I always expect from Nathan. He’s one of the best players in the world, and if we’re both at our best it will be a fantastic game.
“This is always going to be a special time for me, regardless of what happens tomorrow, but I’m here to win a tournament now, and that would top off what’s been a great week.”
Reigning champion Michael van Gerwen began his title defence with a 6-1 rout of Danny Lauby, reeling off six straight legs to continue his bid for a record-extending third US Masters crown.
“The performance wasn’t really there tonight, but tomorrow we’re going to battle with the big boys,” said Van Gerwen.
“Rob Cross is a fantastic dart player. He’s probably one of the most underestimated players on the tour, but tomorrow is a different day.
“It would be nice to win the title for a second year running, but I can’t afford to make any mistakes, because they can be made very quickly.”
Peter Wright won through an edgy last-leg shoot-out against CDC Cross Border Challenge winner Alex Spellman, taking out 100 to book his place in the quarter-finals.
Spellman followed up a 150 checkout in leg five with a spectacular 167 skin-saver on his way to forcing a decider, although Wright fended off the American with a nerveless two-dart finish to progress.
Wright’s reward is a quarter-final showdown against Gerwyn Price, who defied 18 missed darts at double to overcome Jules van Dongen, crashing in six 180s to complete a 6-3 victory.
2019 US Masters champion Aspinall impressed in a comfortable 6-2 defeat of Grand Slam quarter-finalist Stowe Buntz, while Cross eased to a comprehensive 6-1 victory over debutant qualifier Adam Sevada.
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US Darts Masters 2024 Day One Results
Friday May 31
First Round
Rob Cross 6-1 Adam Sevada
Nathan Aspinall 6-2 Stowe Buntz
Peter Wright 6-5 Alex Spellman
Gerwyn Price 6-3 Jules van Dongen
Michael van Gerwen 6-1 Danny Lauby
Luke Humphries 6-0 David Cameron
Luke Littler 6-0 Matt Campbell
Michael Smith 1-6 Jeff Smith
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