Cross survives scare as Littler prevails at Australian Darts Masters

Rob Cross endured a nervy start to his Australian Darts Masters title defence, as he scraped past Haupai Puha in the opening round on Friday.

Champion in Wollongong 12 months ago, Cross returned to Australia having won the US Masters and been runner-up at the Nordic Masters and Poland Masters in his last three World Series events.

The former World champion came flying out of the blocks, with a 14-darter and back-to-back 12-darters on the way to a 4-0 lead.

Although, his finishing subsequently deserted him with New Zealand number one Puha winning five of the next six legs to force a decider.

Puha came within whiskers of dethroning Cross as he wired double 12 for a 138 checkout, with his relieved opponent taking out 80 to prevail.

Damon Heta – runner-up to Cross in Wollongong last year – delighted the home crowd with back-to-back ton-plus finishes of 113 and 116 on the way to a comprehensive 6-0 whitewash of John Hurring.

Michael Smith was also in fine form against TV debutant Stuart Coburn. Bully Boy hit finishes of 146 and 118 – while enjoying 10, 12 and 13-dart legs – as he progressed a 6-2 winner.

Luke Littler also prevailed by the same scoreline against Rob Modra.

The Premier League champion took out 86 and 82 for a 2-0 lead, but Modra hit back with 112 and a 14-darter to level at 2-2.

Although, the local qualifier then missed double 16 for a 108 checkout and 3-3 in leg six, and Littler subsequently went on to seal victory with a 14-darter.

Gerwyn Price rounded off his 6-2 win over Brenton Lloyd with back-to-back 13-darters, while a 120 checkout completed World champion Luke Humphries’ 6-1 victory against Joe Comito.

Elsewhere, Peter Wright was a commanding 6-1 winner over Simon Whitlock, with UK Open champion Dimitri Van den Bergh reeling off six successive legs after losing the opener to oust Jeremy Fagg by the same scoreline.

WATCH THE AUSTRALIAN DARTS MASTERS STREAMED LIVE HERE

18+ | Geo Restrictions may apply | Be Gamble Aware

Australian Darts Masters 2024 | Day One Results

Friday August 9

First Round

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