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Cazoo Masters 2024 | Day Two Preview and Order of Play

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Stephen Bunting sends home Luke Humphries at The Masters as Van Gerwen dethrones Dobey

Jamie Shaw in Winmau World Masters 03 Feb 2024

Bunting beats Humphries (Photo by Chris Sargeant/Tip Top Pics)

Stephen Bunting saw off Luke Humphries to book his place in the Quarter-Finals of The Masters on Saturday, as Michael van Gerwen ended Chris Dobey’s title defence.

Day Two in Milton Keynes saw eight Second Round ties take place at the Marshall Arena, with Humphries, reigning champion Dobey and 2023 World Champion Michael Smith all crashing out.

World number one Humphries was beaten 10-7 by an inspired Bunting – who registered a quartet of ton-plus checkouts to boost his hopes of a first televised PDC title.

Bunting made a blistering start to the contest, opening his account with back-to-back 13-darters, and maintaining his two-leg advantage with a 130 checkout in leg four.

Humphries replied with checkouts of 117 and 145 midway through the contest, but was unable to reel in a relentless Bunting – who landed a brace of 110 checkouts to retain command.

Humphries also fired in a stunning 140 outshot in leg 12, but a sensational 146 finish from Bunting in the penultimate leg catapulted him to victory.

“It’s a massive confidence boost for me,” admitted Bunting.

“When you’re playing against the World Champion and world number one, you know you’ve got to produce something close to your best, and I think my finishing tonight got me over the line.

“I feel like I’m playing the best darts I’ve ever played, and I believe I can win again.”

Dobey, meanwhile, was brushed aside by five-time champion Van Gerwen, who punished a below-par display from the defending champion to run out an emphatic 10-4 winner.

Dobey drew first blood in 14 darts before Van Gerwen won the next six legs without reply, and the Dutch superstar raised his game in the latter stages to ignite his bid for a record-extending sixth Masters crown.

“I can’t complain too much,” insisted the three-time World Champion, who averaged 96 and fired in five 180s.

“It wasn’t the best performance, but I think I played some really good darts towards the end of the match.

“I’ve been waiting a few years for this title, but I feel sharp, I feel comfortable, and I’m just focused on beating whoever is in my path.”

World number three Smith was another high-profile casualty as he succumbed 10-6 to Dimitri Van den Bergh.

Van den Bergh rattled in finishes of 120, 132 and 150 to send Smith packing, just 48 hours after the St Helens star claimed the spoils on Night One of the Premier League in Cardiff.

Earlier in the day, 2020 champion Peter Wright returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 10-8 success over Krzysztof Ratajski.

Ratajski launched a valiant fightback from 6-0 down to threaten an improbable turnaround, but two-time World Champion Wright kept his cool to progress, hitting ten of his 18 attempts at double.

“I’m happy with the win,” reflected Wright, who will face Bunting in Sunday’s opening Wuarter-Final.

“I wanted to keep Krzysztof at bay, because I knew he wasn’t playing well early on, and I managed to find some good shots when I needed them.

“I’m nowhere near the level I want to be at, but the mindset is there. I feel more determined than ever, and once I get settled, I’ll start playing proper darts.”

Elsewhere, Damon Heta produced another ton-topping average to move through to the Last Eight, defying a late fightback from last year’s runner-up Rob Cross.

The Australian established a 9-5 lead before Cross reduced the deficit with three consecutive legs, only for Heta to respond with a superb 11-darter to triumph with a 102 average.

Two-time Masters runner-up Dave Chisnall withstood a late rally from world number seven Danny Noppert to seal his progression.

Chisnall, who averaged 109.3 in his opening round demolition of Martin Schindler, recovered from 4-2 down to deny Noppert, clinching seven of the next nine legs on his way to a 10-8 victory.

World Matchplay champion Nathan Aspinall overcame a struggling Dirk van Duijvenbode to kick off his campaign, producing high finishes of 125 and 110 to close out a comfortable 10-5 victory.

Aspinall’s reward is a meeting with Daryl Gurney – who took full advantage of his late call-up to dump out 2022 champion Joe Cullen in a hard-fought encounter, after Cullen squandered three darts to level at nine apiece.

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Cazoo Masters 2024 Day Two Results

Saturday February 3

Second Round

Afternoon Session
Danny Noppert 8-10 Dave Chisnall
Rob Cross 8-10 Damon Heta
Peter Wright 10-8 Krzysztof Ratajski
Daryl Gurney 10-8 Joe Cullen

Evening Session
Nathan Aspinall 10-5 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Luke Humphries 7-10 Stephen Bunting
Michael van Gerwen 10-4 Chris Dobey
Michael Smith 6-10 Dimitri van den Bergh

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Stephen Bunting sends home Luke Humphries at The Masters as Van Gerwen dethrones Dobey

Cazoo Masters 2024 Day Two Results

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