Day one of the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters delivered a seismic shock as unseeded Man Lok Leung from Hong Kong sensationally defeated Dutch star Danny Noppert, marking the tournament’s biggest upset. While favorites like Luke Littler, Gerwyn Price, and Michael van Gerwen largely dominated their first-round matches, securing their spots in the quarter-finals, the stage is now set for an epic rematch of the World Championship final between Luke Littler and Gian van Veen. The event, held in a uniquely atmospheric Riyadh arena, promises more thrilling darts as the competition heats up.
The Shockwave: Leung’s Historic Upset
The first match of the day produced the only real surprise, as Hong Kong’s Man Lok Leung triumphed over Dutch number one Danny Noppert with a convincing 6-3 victory. Noppert, surprisingly using earplugs, couldn’t find his rhythm in an arena characterized by a peculiar atmosphere where every throw received applause, yet every cough or phone ring was distinctly audible. Leung stormed ahead, securing the first three legs in 11, 16, and 14 darts, leaving “The Freeze” struggling. Despite a brief fightback to win two legs, Noppert’s average of just 81.25 was simply not enough. Leung capitalized on this, securing his first-ever World Series win in style.
Favorites Advance, Setting Up Blockbuster Clashes
Littler Continues Dominance, Price & Van Gerwen Shine
- Luke Littler once again defeated Paul Lim, mirroring his Bahrain win with a 6-1 scoreline. While his average dipped slightly to 89.16, “The Nuke” comfortably secured his spot, as Lim struggled to find a check-out dart in the early legs.
- Gerwyn Price delivered a commanding performance, sweeping aside Alexis Toylo with a 6-0 whitewash. “The Iceman” averaged an impressive 100.20 and even hit a “Big Fish” (170 checkout) in the third leg, leaving Toylo without a single check-out opportunity throughout the match.
- Michael van Gerwen secured a 6-1 victory over Nitin Kumar. Despite a rather moderate 91.16 average, the Dutch maestro had little trouble, as Kumar’s catastrophic 11% checkout rate proved to be his undoing, squandering numerous chances.
Humphries, Aspinall, Bunting Secure Wins
- World Champion Luke Humphries overcame an initial challenge from Ryusei Azemoto, who bravely took the first leg and leveled at 2-2 with a 100-point checkout. However, “Cool Hand Luke” then found his stride, reeling off four consecutive legs to win 6-2.
- Nathan Aspinall demonstrated a clear class advantage over Lourence Ilagan, who scored roughly 20 points less per visit. “The Asp” secured a dominant 6-1 win, with Ilagan’s impressive 98-finish only serving to prevent a whitewash.
- Stephen Bunting cruised to a decisive 6-1 win against Tomoya Goto. The Japanese player missed six crucial darts at doubles and couldn’t match Bunting’s scoring power or timing.
Van Veen Sets Up World Championship Rematch
Gian van Veen ensured a highly anticipated rematch of the recent World Championship final by defeating Motomu Sakai 6-2. Van Veen’s solid performance, especially on his doubles, secured his quarter-final spot against Luke Littler, promising an exciting encounter.
Looking Ahead: The Road to the Title
The Saudi Arabia Darts Masters now moves to its decisive final day, with the remaining eight players battling for the championship.
Quarter-Finals Line-Up:
- Michael van Gerwen vs. Stephen Bunting
- Nathan Aspinall vs. Man Lok Leung
- Gian van Veen vs. Luke Littler (A World Championship Final Rematch!)
- Gerwyn Price vs. Luke Humphries (A Clash of Champions!)
The winners will then progress to the semi-finals, followed by the grand final, all taking place on the same day.
Tournament Format at a Glance:
- First Round & Quarter-Finals: Best of 11 Legs
- Semi-Finals: Best of 13 Legs
- Final: Best of 15 Legs
The Stakes: Prize Money and World Series Points
A total prize fund of £100,000 is up for grabs at the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters, with significant financial rewards and crucial ranking points on the line. These points are vital for players looking to qualify for the prestigious World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam later in the year. It’s important to note that this prize money does not count towards the PDC Order of Merit (world rankings).
Prize Fund Distribution:
- Winner: £30,000 (12 World Series Points)
- Runner-Up: £16,000 (8 World Series Points)
- Semi-Finalists: £10,000 (5 World Series Points)
- Quarter-Finalists: £5,000 (3 World Series Points)
- First Round Losers: £1,750 (1 World Series Point)
Adding an extra layer of excitement, there’s also a lucrative $100,000 bonus for a nine-dart finish, with an additional $100,000 on offer if the player then hits the bullseye with one dart immediately after.
Darts fans around the world typically follow these major tournaments through dedicated sports streaming services or broadcasting channels that hold the rights in their respective regions, ensuring comprehensive coverage of every dart thrown.
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
