New Zealand Masters Darts: Littler advances to quarters, Humphries admits dip in form
World champion Luke Littler secures a quarter-final spot at the New Zealand Masters while Luke Humphries concedes he is out of sorts despite progressing.
Luke Littler secures a quarter-final spot at the New Zealand Masters. The 18-year-old world champion, fresh from victories at the World Matchplay and Australian Masters, defeated Mark Cleaver 6-4 in Auckland. Littler raced to a 3-0 lead, was pegged back to 4-4, but recovered to clinch victory with a 95.60 average. He faces World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker on Saturday in a rematch of last week’s Australian final.
Luke Humphries began his title defence with a 6-3 win over Haupai Puha but admitted he is struggling for form. The world number one averaged just 89.47 and failed to hit a maximum. "I'm out of sorts and out of form. It's one of those things you go through in sport," he said. Humphries will meet Damon Heta, last year’s finalist, after Heta beat Dean Hyland 6-1.
Top seed Stephen Bunting progressed past Ben Robb 6-3, while Gerwyn Price averaged over 103 in a 6-4 win against Jonny Tata. Price will face Northern Ireland’s Josh Rock, who defeated John Hurring 6-2.
First round results
- Mike De Decker 6-1 Gordon Mathers
- Josh Rock 6-2 John Hurring
- Gerwyn Price 6-4 Jonny Tata
- Damon Heta 6-1 Dean Hyland
- Stephen Bunting 6-3 Ben Robb
- Luke Humphries 6-3 Haupai Puha
- Luke Littler 6-4 Mark Cleaver
- Chris Dobey v Simon Whitlock
Saturday's schedule
Quarter-finals (best of 11 legs, 19:00 local/08:00 BST):
- Stephen Bunting v Chris Dobey/Simon Whitlock
- Luke Humphries v Damon Heta
- Gerwyn Price v Josh Rock
- Luke Littler v Mike De Decker
Semi-finals (best of 13 legs) and Final (best of 15 legs).
The young champion Luke Littler continues his pursuit of a third straight title, while Luke Humphries acknowledges a dip in form despite advancing.
This topic was reported by BBC Sport.
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