Luke Littler survives opening night scare at the Australian Darts Masters as Rock and Heta hit top form
Luke Littler survived a scare on the opening night of the Australian Darts Masters in Wollongong, while Josh Rock and Damon Heta enjoyed blistering wins.
Littler recovered from 2-0 and 4-3 down before holding his nerve to deny Haupai Puha in a last-leg decider at the WIN Entertainment Centre.
New Zealand’s number one had fired in back-to-back 12-darters to establish a 4-3 lead, but was ultimately left to rue some slack visits in the latter stages as Littler landed a crucial maximum in the deciding leg en route to a narrow victory.
Heta, meanwhile, delivered a darting masterclass on his return to home soil, producing the performance of the opening night to whitewash compatriot James Bailey.
Heta fired in four ton-plus checkouts, including back-to-back 121s, and averaged 110 in a rampant display to ease into Saturday’s quarter-finals.
“I just felt really comfortable up there,” said Heta, who will now take on World Champion Littler in a blockbuster quarter-final.
“I just want to perform, so to do that in front of my friends and family – I loved it.
“I’m forever grateful that I can come home and get this support, and hopefully I can build on that performance tomorrow.”
Josh Rock enjoyed a dream World Series debut Down Under as he averaged 108.2 to complete a thumping 6-1 victory over Australian icon Simon Whitlock, landing four 180s and pinning six of his eight attempts at doubles in the process.
“I didn’t actually feel any nerves tonight,” admitted Rock, a World Matchplay semi-finalist last month.
“I really enjoyed my first experience of playing in Australia, and I’m very happy with that performance.”
Rock’s reward will be a showdown against top seed Stephen Bunting, who registered a ton-plus average of his own to sweep aside debutant Brody Klinge by the same 6-1 scoreline.
Klinge staved off the prospect of a whitewash defeat with a magnificent 161 checkout in leg six, only for Bunting to reply with a 14-darter to cap off an excellent performance.
Reigning champion Gerwyn Price also averaged over a ton as he began his bid for back-to-back titles with a 6-3 success against DPA number one Joe Comito.
Comito twice kicked off legs with five perfect darts in his best performance on the World Series stage, although it wasn’t enough to overcome the ruthless Welshman, who advanced with a 100.5 average.
“I wasn’t firing on all cylinders, but a win is a win,” said Price, who is chasing a fifth World Series title this weekend.
“Joe hit some good scores at the right time and put me under pressure, but winning breeds confidence, and that’s all I want at the minute.”
World number one Luke Humphries overturned an early 2-0 deficit to run out a 6-3 winner against Jonny Tata, aided by a brilliant burst of 13, 13 and 12-dart legs midway through the contest.
“The win is all that matters,” insisted Humphries, who lifted the US Darts Masters title in June.
“I started off the game really poorly, but I find that sometimes when I’m behind I produce my best darts, and that’s what I did tonight.”
Chris Dobey also survived a scare in seeing off Tim Pusey, reeling off four straight legs from 4-2 adrift to book his place in the quarter-finals – where he will take on defending champion Price.
World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker marked his World Series debut with a 6-2 success over fellow newcomer Brandon Weening, converting six of his ten attempts at doubles to safely progress.
Australian Darts Masters 2025 Day One Results
Friday August 8
First Round
Mike De Decker 6-2 Brandon Weening
Gerwyn Price 6-3 Joe Comito
Stephen Bunting 6-1 Brody Klinge
Luke Humphries 6-3 Jonny Tata
Damon Heta 6-0 James Bailey
Luke Littler 6-5 Haupai Puha
Josh Rock 6-1 Simon Whitlock
Chris Dobey 6-4 Tim Pusey
Saturday August 9
10am-2pm BST
Quarter-Finals
Stephen Bunting v Josh Rock
Luke Littler v Damon Heta
Gerwyn Price v Chris Dobey
Luke Humphries v Mike De Decker
Semi-Finals
Bunting/Rock v Littler/Heta
Price/Dobey v Humphries/De Decker
Final
