The Bahrain Darts Masters 2024, marking the exciting start of the World Series of Darts, is set to deliver explosive action. Featuring top talents like reigning world champion Luke Littler, darts legend Michael van Gerwen, and current world No. 1 Luke Humphries, the tournament promises high drama from the outset. Key first-round clashes include a fascinating “youth vs. experience” battle between Littler and 71-year-old Paul Lim, alongside a highly anticipated revenge match between Gian Van Veen and Man Lok Leung. This article outlines the schedule and key matchups for darts fans eager to follow the action.
Darts Stars Descend on Bahrain for World Series Opener
The highly anticipated Bahrain Darts Masters 2024 is underway, bringing together some of the biggest names in darts for the first event of the prestigious World Series of Darts. Fans can expect a weekend of thrilling competition as players battle for the inaugural title of the 2024 series.
Key Players to Watch
The tournament boasts a stellar lineup, including:
- Luke Littler: The reigning World Champion, making his World Series debut.
- Michael van Gerwen: The legendary Dutchman, always a formidable opponent.
- Luke Humphries: The current World No. 1 and a consistent major winner.
- Gerwyn Price: Former World Champion, known for his powerful game.
- Stephen Bunting: The defending champion of the Bahrain Darts Masters.
- Nathan Aspinall: The reigning World Matchplay champion.
- Danny Noppert: A consistent performer on the PDC circuit.
- Gian Van Veen: One of darts’ brightest young talents.
First Round: Clash of Titans and Intriguing Matchups
The draw for the first round has thrown up several captivating encounters:
- Youth vs. Experience: Luke Littler vs. Paul Lim
World Champion Luke Littler faces a fascinating challenge against the legendary 71-year-old Paul Lim. This match headlines the first round, pitting the sport’s newest sensation against a veteran icon, promising a clash of styles and generations. - A Quest for Revenge: Gian Van Veen vs. Man Lok Leung
Second seed Gian Van Veen will be seeking redemption against Hong Kong’s Man Lok Leung. Their last encounter at the 2023 World Championship saw Leung stage a stunning comeback from three sets down to defeat Van Veen. This rematch is set to be an emotional and intense affair. - Defending Champion’s Start: Stephen Bunting vs. Ryusei Azemoto
Reigning Bahrain Darts Masters champion Stephen Bunting begins his title defence against two-time World Championship qualifier Ryusei Azemoto. Bunting will be keen to start strong and assert his dominance. - Top Seeds in Action:
- Michael van Gerwen takes on PDC Asian Tour winner Alexis Toylo.
- Gerwyn Price faces fan-favourite Motomu Sakai, who recently impressed at the World Championship.
- Luke Humphries, the current World No. 1, plays Bahrain’s own Abdulla Saeed.
- Nathan Aspinall goes head-to-head with Lourence Ilagan.
- Danny Noppert meets Basem Mahmood.
Complete First Round Draw
Here is the full list of first-round matches:
- Gerwyn Price v Motomu Sakai
- Gian van Veen v Man Lok Leung
- Danny Noppert v Basem Mahmood
- Nathan Aspinall v Lourence Ilagan
- Luke Humphries v Abdulla Saeed
- Luke Littler v Paul Lim
- Michael van Gerwen v Alexis Toylo
- Stephen Bunting v Ryusei Azemoto
Tournament Format and Quarter-Finals
The matches in the early stages of the Bahrain Darts Masters are played as the best of 11 legs, meaning the first player to win six legs secures victory. The tournament progresses rapidly, leading to the quarter-finals.
Quarter-Finals – Friday, January 16th (Best of 11 legs):
- Winner of Littler/Lim v Winner of Price/Sakai
- Winner of Van Gerwen/Toylo v Winner of Bunting/Azemoto
- Winner of Humphries/Saeed v Winner of Aspinall/Ilagan
- Winner of Van Veen/Leung v Winner of Noppert/Mahmood
The Bahrain Darts Masters sets the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable year on the World Series of Darts circuit, showcasing the sport’s global appeal and the immense talent within its ranks.
Source: Based on an article from Sky Sports – Sports News, Transfers, Scores | Watch Live Sport.
