The inaugural Saudi Arabia Darts Masters has kicked off with a bang, delivering both expected brilliance and shocking upsets. Teenage sensation Luke Littler effortlessly defeated darts legend Paul Lim 6-1, setting up a highly anticipated quarter-final clash against his rival Gian van Veen – a rematch of their World Darts Championship final. However, the biggest surprise came as world No. 10 Danny Noppert was sensationally knocked out by Hong Kong’s Man Lok Leung. Other top players like Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price, Luke Humphries, Nathan Aspinall, and Stephen Bunting advanced, promising an electrifying continuation of the tournament.
Littler’s Dominant Start and a Familiar Foe Awaits
Darts prodigy Luke Littler wasted no time asserting his dominance at the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters, securing a convincing 6-1 victory over the iconic Paul Lim. The 18-year-old showcased his formidable power scoring, overwhelming Lim from the outset. Littler quickly built a 4-0 lead, making it clear he was in top form, even if a momentary lapse allowed Lim to snatch a leg.
This win paves the way for a blockbuster quarter-final against Gian van Veen. This isn’t just any match; it’s a rematch of their recent World Darts Championship final, where Littler famously clinched a dominant 7-1 victory to become a back-to-back world champion. Darts fans are eager to see if Van Veen can turn the tables.
Littler also commented on the unique atmosphere of the event, being the first time darts has landed in Saudi Arabia. “It is a very weird atmosphere, it is all new to us players,” Littler told ITV Sport, noting the subdued, near-silent environment. Despite the unusual setting, he emphasized the importance of performance: “as long as you play well you are going to win 90 per cent of the time.”
Van Veen’s Road to Redemption
Gian van Veen earned his spot in the quarter-finals by defeating Motomu Sakai 6-2. While Sakai managed to win two legs consecutively during a brief rough patch for the Dutchman, Van Veen quickly regained his composure. His power scoring and a flurry of 180s returned, allowing him to clinch three legs in a row and secure his place against his “childhood rival,” Littler.
Van Veen expressed his determination, reflecting on past finals: “I was gutted to lose to Luke [Littler] and then Michael [van Gerwen] but I was always happy to make it to those finals.” Looking ahead, he’s optimistic about the season: “I know what I am capable of… if I can show it again it is going to be a great season.”
Shockwave: Noppert Knocked Out in Major Upset
The biggest story of the opening night was undoubtedly the stunning defeat of world No. 10 Danny Noppert. ‘The Freeze’ was beaten 6-3 by Hong Kong’s Man Lok Leung, marking a significant upset. Leung’s victory makes him only the third Asian player in World Series history to win a match, a testament to his impressive performance.
Leung started incredibly strong, racing to a 3-0 lead with an average over 112. Although Noppert fought back to claim a couple of breaks, it was ultimately too little, too late. Leung sealed his magnificent win by pinning D5 in the ninth leg, sending a clear message to the rest of the field.
Man Lok Leung will now face Nathan Aspinall in the quarter-finals, who delivered a classy performance with a 6-1 victory over Lourence Ilagan, averaging over 100.
Other Top Stars Shine Through
Most of the other PDC stars advanced comfortably, setting up a thrilling second day of competition:
- Gerwyn Price demonstrated his formidable form with a dominant 6-0 whitewash against Alexi Toylo. ‘The Iceman’ not only achieved a ‘Big Fish’ (170 checkout) but also maintained an average over 100, leaving Toylo without a single dart at a double. Price will face Luke Humphries next.
- Luke Humphries showed resilience in his 6-2 win against Japan’s Ryusei Azemoto. After an early scare where Azemoto leveled at 2-2 with a 100 checkout and a break, ‘Cool Hand’ Humphries then took four legs on the spin to secure his quarter-final spot.
- Michael van Gerwen kept his hopes of back-to-back World Series titles alive with a comprehensive 6-1 victory over Nitin Kumar. Despite Kumar’s recent success at Alexandra Palace, his doubling wasn’t clinical enough, allowing ‘Mighty Mike’ to capitalize, including a game-changing 102 checkout. Van Gerwen will play Stephen Bunting.
- Stephen Bunting put in a strong showing, defeating Japan’s Tomoya Goto 6-1. ‘The Bullet’ reeled off five consecutive legs before Goto could even get a leg on the board, showcasing his sharp form.
Quarter-Final Matchups to Watch
The stage is set for an exhilarating series of quarter-final encounters:
- Luke Littler vs. Gian van Veen: The highly anticipated rematch.
- Man Lok Leung vs. Nathan Aspinall: Can Leung continue his giant-killing run?
- Gerwyn Price vs. Luke Humphries: A clash of champions.
- Michael van Gerwen vs. Stephen Bunting: A test of consistent form.
Looking Ahead: Premier League Darts
Beyond the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters, the darts world also looks forward to the Premier League Darts. Luke Humphries will be defending his title in this prestigious competition, which runs every Thursday from February until May. Fans can expect weeks of top-tier darts action.
Source: Based on an article from Sky Sports – Sports News, Transfers, Scores | Watch Live Sport.
